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Premier Netball - Championship Grand Final

An exciting, exhilarating and fitting final game of premier level netball was on show at QE II as we found the supreme champion for the 2010 season.   Hearts and Lincoln University the reigning champions, took the court for this game, after a 15 match series of games which started way back in May. During that time both teams have exhibited some awesome netball and well deserved the opportunity to compete in the final.

Both teams had a shaky and nervous start with some turnover ball and mistimed passes showing the intensity of the occasion, however once players settled to their tasks it was game on.  Gina Taylor, Lincoln’s GD successfully launched some long-range passes from the transverse line into her team’s GS  Ellen Halpenny early in the first quarter that were slotted confidently through the hoop giving Lincoln a 7-3 lead within the first 7 minutes.   The experience of Taylor looking down court to Halpenny  paid off well for Lincoln, whereas at the other end of the court Hearts GS Ashleigh Smith was taking sometime to settle  into her game and lacked the drive to the ball, however in her defence she found herself up against the gritty, determined and experienced Lincoln GK, Anna Galvan.  

Hearts put their foot down and applied the pressure in the latter part of this quarter and at the 11 minute mark had picked up their scoring rate to reach 8 all as they continued to build on this going into the first break  ahead 13-11.

Lincoln came out firing in the second quarter and picked up a good score of 11 – 8 to sneak ahead 22-21 at the halftime turnaround.   Tight one-on-one marking from both teams contributed to a lot of shortened passes, sometimes going backwards and some highly competitive contesting of the ball.   The 2nd quarter was definitely the battle of defensive players at both ends of the courts as they drove to pick up mistimed passes off tentative shooters and created havoc for the feeders on the circle edge – every loose ball, tip or intercept seemed to be picked up by defenders.    

Going into the 3rd quarter and Hearts rolled out its 3rd wing defender, initially Amanda Howell had that bib, followed by Tanya Hayes and then Phillipa Dean. Certainly each player added another dimension in that position but Dean’s additional height paid off in the latter part of the game as she continued to hound and pressure the speedy fleet-footed Jess Drummond Lincoln’s WA.  Drummond commanded the mid-court for her team ensuring her attacking players had space and good quality ball especially around the circle edge.    But by the 3rd quarter break Hearts had broken back and were ahead 36-35. 

The final quarter and the game was anybody’s as both teams traded goal for goal – an uncharacteristic unsuccessful shot under the post by Halpenny was snapped up by Hearts, whipped down the opposite end to GS Smith who put that away and Hearts  had the next centre pass – the break they had hoped for.    Captain Jess Leech spurred her team on, ably supported in the mid court position by the experienced Jo McCaw as they remained calm and continued to pressurize the mid-court  Lincoln players.  Another break came with an error off Lincoln’s centre pass.  Hearts won the resultant throw-in from which they scored and edged ahead  44-43.   Hearts scored from their next centre pass and played to maintain possession and apply the pressure. Despite Lincoln scoring the final goal in the match another loose ball from the fingers of an attacking Lincoln player went astray and the game was Hearts – time ran out for Lincoln with that quarter tied up 9 all and Hearts emerging victorious 45 - 44. 

An excellent game of netball from both teams who entertained the large crowd of vocal and animated supporters  – it would have been a brave person who would have predicted the outcome  of this game even within the last 3 minutes as the score swung to both teams at various points. 

It was certainly a parade of wing defenders in both teams with 3 being used in that position by Hearts and 2 by Lincoln University as they substituted Hannah Sjoberg in the final quarter for the fresh legs of Devon van Til.   Players from both sides gave it their all in a brilliant display of netball, this year played indoors which has contributed to the players being able to remain in the game at this level.  Great to have the more experienced franchise players combining with the youth in the game allowing them the opportunity to develop their skills to a whole new level of club netball. 

Coaches Adrianne Hayes and Sharon Woodings would have been rightly pleased with the combined effort of the Hearts ladies, however Frances Grainger surely could not have been disappointed at how well the Lincoln players performed under her watchful eye.

The game was umpired by David Pala’amo and Mandy Nottingham – the region’s top  umpires.

Shooting statistics:

Hearts:   Ashleigh Smith 28/38, Kirby Heath 9/16 and Kiley Hikawai 8/10.

Lincoln:  Ellen Halpenny 39/49 and Kat Taylor 5/5.

Was always going to be a difficult task for the St Peters team up against the polished and experienced St Nicholas outfit in the final game of New World grade.  St Nicholas went out firing with every intention of letting everyone  know they intended to end this year of ups and downs on a real up and picked up a very lopsided win 76 - 28.  St Nicholas will of course commence the 2011 season in the Premier 1 division where they rightly belong and St Peters will remain in the New World grade.  

Senior 1 division final was a closely contested game with the first half of the game in Halswell's favour however Kereru B fought back in the second half of the game more particularly in the final quarter snaring that 16-7 to take the game out 45 - 39.

Senior 2 division final was a game of contrasting styles with in the end, Kia Toa too courtwise for the Avonside team taking the match 49-40.

Christchurch Netball Centre - 2010 Finals

Results of Previous Rounds

Results of these games will be displayed here when available.