THE Rockingham Flames still sit on top of the women's SBL with two rounds of the 2014 season remaining but coach Ryan Petrik is looking for improved skill and intensity again from his team after two losses in the past three games.

The Orange Autos Rockingham Flames women began the 2014 SBL season with 17 straight victories to be the runaway leader on top of the standings, but two losses in the past three games now has put that minor premiership in a little jeopardy.

The Lakeside Lightning beat the Flames 80-71 last Friday night to mean that one game separates the top two teams now with two rounds left of the 2014 season.

The Flames hit the court again this Friday night against the Perry Lakes Hawks and Petrik is hoping to see a vast improvement from his team than what they have delivered in recent weeks.

"No doubt there was a hard week on the track this week, as our general skill level has been way down these last few weeks," Petrik said.

"With just two games until the first round of the playoffs, we ramped up the intensity again which hopefully flows into this weekend's game."

Looking back to last Friday's loss to the Lightning, Petrik was left bemused with the way his team played for the majority of the first half.

"We probably played our worst 17 minutes of basketball for the year in the first half. Our first three minutes or so was perfect, we followed the scout and moved the ball well," he said.

"Then Lakeside went on their run which made us look like an Aussie Hoops team for the rest of the half. Suddenly passing and catching looked difficult, the scout went out the door, and Lakeside made us pay dearly."

Even though his Flames team played better in the second half of that game against Lakeside, the Lightning showed without doubt to Petrik that they are very much a top contender to take out the 2014 championship, and will take some stopping come playoff time.

"We were really pleased that the girls didn't give up and fought it out to the end," Petrik said.

"Last year we had a couple of games that being down 20 turned into 40 and 50 point blowouts, so to fight all the way to the end and keep it to nine points and look semi respectable was pleasing.

"We couldn't speak more highly of Lakeside and the job Darren Nash and his staff have done there. They were clearly the superior team on the night in every way, and will take some beating come August."

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin