What a Result....

What a result…..

Netball tests between NZ and Australia are legendary. The Ozzies are the world champions, as they took the title off us during the last world championships in Auckland. When you look at the head to head statistics between the two teams Australian wins far outnumber ours. They have won 53 past encounters and NZ 36.

But….for this game we triumphed (46 to 41) and I was there in Melbourne to watch it! Just look at that scoreboard. It was great. During the first quarter, it was definitely their game to win as they snaffled the ball with outstanding skill, keeping us scoreless for much of the first quarter. In fact for the first ten minutes they restricted us to just 3 goals. The crowd crowed, I was in shock. I was wondering if "my girls had come to play?"

But, staunch as ever, Coach Ruth Aitken made some changes and one of those was to bring Lianna Barret-Chase on at WA for her first cap. She was superb and strong. It’s very exciting to see a new cap come on and immediately stamp her mark on the game. She will be a huge force to be reckoned with once she fine tunes feeding the ball into the circle.

Several of Melbourne's superb sporting facilities are within easy walking distance of the city centre and I had a lovely stroll along the Yarra to reach the Hisense Arena. Being surrounded by cheering and booing (when the umpire decisions went against their team) was an interesting experience but in the main it was all very good natured and a slightly subdued crowd filed out of the arena.

Like all games between these two teams – netball was the winner. That we won while I was there to watch was sweet. After strolling back along the river, I just had to stop awhile and treat myself to champagne and a nice dinner at a restaurant beside the river.

I'm missing.......good after match coverage in the newspapers. I did find a couple of articles this time but it was just the comments of the Australian captain and coach. While these are great there was no independent match analysis. Actually there was nothing before the match either.

I'm loving........Catching up with family over here.

I was disappointed.............They wouldn't allow photographs in the arena so sorry, no shots of the game or the girls. But one of my bag!

Next.........I've been away the last two weekends so I will do an article on that. Both weekends where great. This weekend I'm going on the Bronte to Bondi Beach walk again to see the annual sculpture display. Ooh and I have a list of pet airport peeves.....Now that's worth waiting for.... and I am sure you will want to add your own pet peeves.