Canberra sinks Harbourside
Canberra avenged their loss to Harbourside, three weeks ago, with a 38-33 win, in Sydney, yesterday. The win securing Canberra’s position into the finals, with only two games left to play. Harbourside must now win all three of their remaining games to have a chance to make the final four.
Canberra started the game determined to get back into winning form, scoring first. Despite Harbourside pressing a 5+1 defence in order to take out Canberra’s leading scorer, Tomasz Lasek, Canberra were able to score freely, gradually breaking away from Habourside though the first half to go to the break with a 17-11 lead.
Canberra continued strongly at the start of the second half, maintaining a solid defence to nullify the Harbourside attack. Canberra continued to keep the score board ticking over, breaking out to a 10 goal lead, thanks to another barrage of fast breaks from speedy left-winger Andrew Lawrence and a 100% effort from Dragan Radicoski, who has had to fill in for the injured Callum Mouncey, in the pivot position.
However, in the second half, several 2-minute suspensions allowed Harbourside to begin to close the gap, bringing the deficit back to 7 with 7 minutes remaining. Harbourside then went on a full-court press to force Canberra into errors. Canberra initially responded well, but after making several key saves, Canberra keeper Matt Lacey bore the full brunt of a close range shot, squarely in the face, forcing him off the court with a bloodied nose.
During this period, Harbourside took advantage of some easy turn-overs by Canberra, scoring 5 quick, unanswered goals to come within 4 goals of Canberra. However, after Lacey returned to the field, Canberra settled to hold back Harbourside’s late surge and emerged 5 goal winners, 38-33.
Canberra now sits third on the league table behind Sydney University and their last year grand final opponents, Hills Heat.
Andrew Lawrence top scored for Canberra with 9 goals.
Mouncey back in action
Some more good news for Canberra ahead of the League finals, with pivot Callum Mouncey likely to make a come-back by next week. The 21 year-old, who injured his ankle in the clash against Blaze, has started training again and is expected to be cleared to play for next week.
Next week, Canberra plays bottom of the ladder UTS in Sydney.
Canberra defeated Harbourside 38-33 (17-11)
For Canberra: Andrew Lawrence (9), Tomasz Lasek (7), Michal Kubal (6), Dragan Radicoski (6), Luciano Baca (4), Taip Ramadani (4) Xavier Orsatti (2), Matt Lacey (GK).