|
“It’s Show time!”
With three rounds of the National League completed, the final series is gearing up as an intriguing battle for semi-final places. The QAS Heatwave are on top of the points table with 28 points from 14 wins and one loss, but then a three way tie exists between the WAIS Coastals, the NSWIS Firestars and the VIS Titans all on 16 points from 8 wins and 7 losses.
This means that games in the final round will be crucial in determining which team will play the QAS in the major semi-final and obtain a double chance courtesy of the pages systems finals.
The competition hotted up after the remaining games of Round 3 were played at the Gilley’s Shield in January in Sydney. The big mover in the points table was the VIS Titans who managed to win all 3 of their games including a strong win over competition leaders the QAS Heatwave.
The other shock result was the loss of all 3 games by the NSWIS Firestars who now find themselves in a three way tie for second with the WAIS Coastals and the VIS Titans. This will make every game crucial in Round 4 to be played on the first two days of the event.
Apart from the National League trophy (the Audrey McLaughlin Cup) all 6 teams will also be playing for the Blacktown Mayor’s Cup. The team which finishes with the most points from Round 4 will receive this award in recognition of their performance at the Sydney event.
This competition will be interesting with the Diamonds picking up the services of triple Olympian pitchers Tanya Harding and Melanie Roche to go with another triple Olympian Brooke Wilkins. Although they still have a mathematical chance of making the National League finals they will be a definite threat to the Blacktown Mayor’s Cup.
The Starz will also create strong opposition for their opponents with the majority of their players now selected to represent Australia at the Under 19 World Championships later in the year. Their performance in Round 2 where they made the Melbourne Grand Final indicates they are quite capable of upsetting their more experienced rivals and having a big impact on the final standings of the national league.
|
Team |
P |
W |
L |
For |
Against |
Points |
|
QAS Heatwave |
15 |
14 |
1 |
81 |
21 |
28 |
|
VIS Titans |
15 |
8 |
7 |
42 |
35 |
16 |
|
NSWIS Firestars |
15 |
8 |
7 |
38 |
32 |
16 |
|
WAIS Coastals |
15 |
8 |
7 |
34 |
44 |
16 |
|
Diamonds |
14 |
3 |
11 |
39 |
61 |
6 |
|
Starz |
14 |
3 |
11 |
20 |
59 |
6 |
NATIONAL LEAGUE LADDER AND GAME RESULTS FROM ROUND 1, 2 & 3
The Finals
It is still hard to predict the winner of this competition, although the QAS Heatwave have dominated round robin games, they will need to compensate for their loss of the experienced pitching of Kelly Hardie, who has a minor injury. Both QAS pitchers Jocelyn McCallum and Sandra Avery have been impressive during the competition, but the finals will be a step up in intensity and they will be surely tested by their rivals.
Grabbing second spot and the advantage of a double chance will be crucial and the team that manages to make the major semi-final will be in the best position to push the QAS Heatwave. In the first round in Brisbane the NSWIS Firestars demolished the local team in the final, and with Zara Mee leading the pitching and the home ground advantage, they could well emerge as the 2007 National League champions.
News Items
19/02/07 - League champions to be decided this weekend!
23/02/07 - Diamonds put the pressure on
23/02/07 - Firestars stop Diamonds
23/02/07 - Firestars outclass the Starz
23/02/07 - Heatwave and Firestars in front as day one draws to a close
24/02/07 - Smart play helps Diamonds down Titans
24/02/07 - Diamonds try to stop Heatwave
24/02/07 - Firestars cement second spot
24/02/07 - Finals underway at Blacktown
25/02/07 - Starz finish in sixth place
25/02/07 - Thrilling game sees Firestars through to final
25/02/07 - Heatwave win National League
|
home
