IT was a penultimate round to forget for the two finals-bound western suburbs clubs in the Victorian Netball League championship division.
City West Falcons managed to cling to a top-two spot despite a 56-44 loss to premiership favourite Peninsula Waves at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday night. The Waves have broken up the monopoly the western clubs had over the championship to claim the minor premiership and hold the all-important top ranking in the finals.
The Falcons were disappointing after quarter time, getting to the cylinder 18 fewer times than their opponents.
Goalshooter Julia Knott was efficient with 37 from 39 attempts for an impressive 95% return.
VU-Western Lightning paid a heavy price for a 44-35 defeat to Yarra Valley Grammar Ariels.
Barring an incredible turn of events in the last round, the loss has cost the Lightning a double chance in the finals. Instead, the Lightning will have to plan their assault from the bottom two of the top four, meaning it will be cut throat all the way.
Tomorrow night’s last home-and-away round sees the Falcons face the Southern Saints, while Lightning meets Monash University Central.
