In a true top of the table showdown, the first placed Bulleen Boomers take on the second placed Townsville Fire at The Veneto Club for the first time this season on Saturday. Both teams head into the contest having only suffered one loss for the year, a tantalising match up between the 9-1 Boomers and the 7-1 Fire.
The Boomers were able to quickly regain any momentum lost from their Round 7 slip up against the Flames, to a produce a wonderful performance against the Perth Lynx at home last week. Led by the near perfect performance from centre Liz Cambage (30 points), along with the play of Opal Elyse Penaluna (18 points), Bulleen defeated the Lynx 92-58.
The Boomers were able to quickly regain any momentum lost from their Round 7 slip up against the Flames, to a produce a wonderful performance against the Perth Lynx at home last week. Led by the near perfect performance from centre Liz Cambage (30 points), along with the play of Opal Elyse Penaluna (18 points), Bulleen defeated the Lynx 92-58.The form of Cambage is an ominous sign for the visiting Fire, coming off a game that led Head Coach Tom Maher to proclaim of his young star,
“That’s by far the best game she has ever played. It’s not even close.”
Despite the impressive form of the Boomers, Townsville will not be easily intimidated, having proven themselves all season to rise above expectations, as one of the surprise teams of the competition.
Led by one of the league’s top scorers Amy Lewis and two of the top rebounders of the WNBL this season in Tanya Smith and Aneka Davis, the Fire has continued to produce wins despite playing without the services of last year’s league MVP, Opals player Rohanee Cox.
“I saw them playing on the TV and they’ve got a lot of good things happening for them.” said Tom Maher, who also noted the improvement he had seen from last season to now, amongst some of the Townsville players. “That’s the mark of a good program if players can improve in it, so I don’t take them lightly at all, they’re a good team.”
The Fire are coming off a 70-56 victory in Round 8 against the Canberra Capitals, and were led by 22 points and ten rebounds from Aneka Davis and 15 points from Tanya Smith.
After beating a Perth side last round languishing towards the bottom of the ladder, Saturday’s game will be a real test for the Boomers against another of the powerhouses of the WNBL. After being pushed around by the Sydney Flames last time they faced a club with a winning record, the girls have a chance to prove that lessons have been learnt, and that they are a genuine championship contender.
Once again the home crowd support will be all important, so get down to the game, make some noise and cheer on our Boomers to another victory!
By Ryan Mobilia
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