Both got up 3-2, a four minute flurry sparking Flames to the points against South United.

After a strong start, earning a couple of early penalty corners, Flames took the lead in the 19th minute, Naomi Spark launching a powerful strike to finish after Julie Rodda had intercepted Souths’ attempt to clear from defence. Spark doubled their lead a couple of minutes later after a run from Kim Resch.

Barely a minute later Resch broke through again, Ash Allen this time providing the finishing touch to give Flames a 3-nil lead.

Souths struck late in the half to cut the difference back to two at the break.

Flames coach Barrie Pritchard said like they did in the first half, his side started strongly in the second. But unlike in the first half they weren’t able to convert their chances.

“The second half was a story of missed chances for us,” he said. Spark and Resch both hit the post, while Allen and Rodda pushed shots wide. In amongst all that, Souths got back to 3-2. 

“It was a good win for us, but a little bit close for comfort,” Pritchard said.

He said Kate Ferguson was strong in the middle in what was a high intensity game.

Spark and Allen both also had strong games.

Souths coach Andrew Davy said it was a similar script to the last time they played Flames. Then it was in the second half they put quick goals on them.

“Take that four minutes out and it was a good game,” he said.

“As has been a problem with us at times this season, we get caught a bit high at the back and get isolated.”

“But I was proud of the girls. At 3-nil down they could have packed it in, but they pulled one back before half-time.”

But while he was happy with his sides performance, Waratahs coach Graeme McKenzie wasn’t his.

“We found it a bit difficult to get into a bit of rhythm and make everything work,” he said.

That wasn’t to take anything away from Tudor Wests, who played well and scored inside the first couple of minutes. Waratahs managed to get on top of them, but generally lacked polish in the circle.

“We created enough opportunities but we were a little bit off the pace in the shooting circle and our corners didn’t function that well,” McKenzie said.

Tudors coach Helen Willis was delighted with her sides efforts over the weekend, the one-goal loss to Waratahs coming after a 3-all draw with Services.

“I was really proud of them, especially on Sunday backing up,” she said.

“They (Waratahs) had a pretty full team. The girls did really well.”

One of the biggest differences was they really competed for the ball.

“We’ve been working on some confidence things with the girls. That’s been a big issue for us,” she said.

She also made a few positional changes, which seemed to work well.