By Jonty Ralphsmith
Cardinia Storm has walked away from its clash against Monash University with one point, playing out a tense 0-0 draw.
The Storm controlled the game but were unable to put it on the scoreboard, despite the best efforts of inners Vanessa Dillon and Bridie, and Rebecca G’s potency in attack.
Cardinia moved the ball fluently and was able to hold its ground against Monash University which opened up several attacking opportunities.
Among those was a series of powerful short corners but, despite several shots, the Storm were unable to find the back of the net.
Monash University’s scoring opportunities were much more sparse but when they did get it forward, they weren’t as dangerous.
The defence held up tightly, closing down their direct opponent and playing with instinct.
Dillon, coach Deb Jacobs and Jacqui Kelly were able to repel when the visitors got territory and set up the Storm’s inners and forwards.
The result has Cardinia sitting sixth in an eight-team competition, but they are well ahead of the bottom two and on pace with the rest of the competition.
The Storm sit just one win behind third-placed Knox, which they drew with earlier in the year.
It has been a competitive start by a start up club, having lost just two of their first six games but they face a stern test against St Bede’s this weekend.
Results: Cardinia Storm 0 v Monash University 0, Mentone 0 v Knox 0, Waverley 3 v Hawthorn 0, MCC 1 v St Bede’s 6.
Ladder: Mentone 14, St Bede’s 12, Knox 11, Monash University 9, Waverley 9, Cardinia Storm 8, Hawthorn 1, MCC 1.
Fixture: Cardinia Storm v St Bede’s, Knox v Waverley, Monash University v Mentone, Hawthorn v MCC.
