Thundersticks Stay Perfect: Perth Edge NSW Pride 3-2 in Sydney
Perth Thundersticks just don’t lose. Not yet, anyway.
The women’s ladder leaders kept their perfect start alive on Saturday, beating NSW Pride 3-2 at Sydney Olympic Park in a game that stayed alive right to the end. Perth led, Pride hit back, and the Thundersticks had to dig in to protect the win. That’s what unbeaten teams do.
Courtney Schonell got Perth going after 14 minutes, a field goal plus the converted one-on-one that Hockey One tacks on, so it was 2-0 in a flash. Georgia Wilson pulled one back for the Pride from a penalty corner on 21 minutes, and Madi Ratcliffe restored the two-goal cushion from a penalty corner on 42 minutes. Kendelle Tait made it 3-2 with a field goal on 45 minutes, and from there it was a scrap. Perth held on.
What we do know: Perth left Sydney with the win and their unbeaten record intact, still sitting at the top of the women’s competition. The Pride, who came into Round 3 as one of the teams chasing them, now have a defeat to shake off before Round 4.
Sunday’s first Melbourne derby is next: Cobras v HC Melbourne at the State Netball and Hockey Centre, women at 3:30 pm AEDT. The Cobras women are unbeaten too, and captain Claire Colwill has scored in the final four minutes of both their games so far. Something has to give in that derby eventually. Perth will be watching.
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