Jets jubilant at first victory

For the first time since returning to the WA Netball League’s top division at the start of last season, the ECU Souwest Jets have recorded a victory.

The players were jubilant after their four-goal win against Perth Lions at the State Netball Centre on Friday night.

After claiming just a draw last year, the young Jets gave coach Erin Culnane the perfect birthday present with the 43-39 win. The Jets got off to a hot start and led by four goals at quarter-time, but the Lions rallied in the second term to take the lead, 23-22.

A calf injury kept centre-court star Jessica Repacholi out of the Jets’ line-up, but her younger sister Brooke stepped up and Culnane said she played a “blinder”.

The Jets regained the lead in a messy third quarter before holding on against a spirited Lions in the final term to claim their first win.

Culnane said it was a great team performance.

“We settled the front line when we brought Giselle (Taylor) on in the final quarter, while Ella (Taylor) and Riley (Culnane) were amazing in the back court,” she said.

“It was probably the most solid game they have played together.”

The Jets have the bye this week, before taking on the Coastal Sharks on Tuesday night and the Wheatbelt Flames on the Sunday.

Culnane said it would be a quiet week ahead of next week’s double header.