CITY West Falcons have made a solid start to their Victorian Netball League premiership defence.
The champions were forced to grind out a four-goal victory over plucky North East Blaze in the season opener at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Wednesday night.
The Falcons unveiled a new attacking combination, following a campaign-ending preseason injury to first-choice goal shooter Kath Knott.
CLICK HERE for our picture gallery of the big game.
Knott’s sister, Julia, was paired with Maggie Lind with success.
Knott was on fire, landing 31 of 32 attempts for a 97 per cent return.
Lind, who works farther up the court as a distributor and is also damaging around the cylinder, landed 12 of 17. The Falcons will tackle the Boroondara Genesis at SNHC tonight from 9.40.
Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up, the VU-Western Lightning, finished the first round top of the pops after a 65-25 thrashing of the Ballarat Pride at Bendigo Stadium on Saturday night.
They will host Peninsula Waves in the other 9.40 game at SNHC tonight.
Championship: North East Blaze 39 City West Falcons 43; VU-Western Lightning 65 Ballarat Pride 25
Division 1: North East Blaze 35 City West Falcons 42; VU-Western Lightning 55 Ballarat Pride 40
19 and under: North East Blaze 28 City West Falcons 54; VU-Western Lightning 26 Ballarat Pride 42
