Sport
24 October, 2022
Blazers remain unbeaten after taming Lions
Maryborough Blazers continued to confirm themselves as one of the teams to beat in both men’s and women’s grades as they shrugged aside late fixture changes to sweep the Bacchus Marsh Lions on Saturday night. Having originally been slated to...
Maryborough Blazers continued to confirm themselves as one of the teams to beat in both men’s and women’s grades as they shrugged aside late fixture changes to sweep the Bacchus Marsh Lions on Saturday night.
Having originally been slated to play two home games against Mildura and Echuca before Victoria’s continued floods brought about late fixture changes, the Blazers continued about their business in the best way possible at Bacchus Marsh Leisure Centre.
The Lady Blazers got off to a good start on Saturday night, outscoring the Lions 22-11 to open up a handy lead at the first change, before the Lions were, to their credit, able to keep up in the second period. But for all their hard work, the Lady Blazers were still able to outscore the Lions 20-17 to ensure they would take a 42-28 lead at the main break.
It appeared that the Lions’ inability to make inroads on the Lady Blazers’ fast start wore them down in the second half, with the Blazers putting away the game in the third quarter with a 22-9 run to take a 64-37 lead at the final change, before a 25-12 finish ensured the Lady Blazers would also increase their percentage with a strong 89-49 victory.
It was the dominance of Maryborough’s front court which again showed that the reigning champions are up for retaining their title, with Claire Blower scoring 28 points, while Maddison Egan scored 14. Keisha Tonzing and Claire Constable were also solid performers, scoring 16 and 15 points respectively.
The men’s team had to hold off a furious Lions charge in the second half to record a 12-point victory to cement a 3-0 start, with a dominant first half setting the tone for the Blazers.
Much like the Lady Blazers, the men’s team was able to establish an 11-point quarter time lead thanks to a 24-13 run, and an eerily similar quarter in the second ensured they would take a 48-26 lead going into half time.
The Lions threw caution to the wind in the second half and were prepared to take it right to the Blazers, successfully reducing the margin to 13 by the final change thanks to a 21-12 quarter.
However, the Blazers were able to run the game out strongly, and despite losing the quarter by just one point, they were able to record a 77-65 victory.
The work of Brady Neill was crucial in their victory, scoring 23 points, while Bailey Jacobs and Lachlan Drummond were also key contributors, with Jacobs adding 13 points, while Drummond scored 12.
At the end of the round, the Lady Blazers continued to sit atop the ladder with a strong percentage, while the men’s Blazers are sitting third having won all three games.
This week, the Blazers and Lady Blazers will be on the road again, set to play Melton Thoroughbreds at Cobblebank Stadium.