Games went to form this week as Christchurch’s Premier Netball competition entered the final phase of competition.

In Premier 1, the game of the round was between Kereru and Technical. Both teams were looking to bounce back after close losses the previous week against Lincoln University and Kia Toa respectively.

Following a close first quarter, it was Kereru who secured the advantage by half time to lead by four, 25-21. Technical responded in the third quarter outscoring Kereru 14-9 and took the smallest of margins and the momentum in the final quarter. But the final quarter belonged to Kereru 10-6. With Julianna Naoupu joining Sam Adams in goal, Kereru opened the quarter scoring five goals to Technical's one to put them in front and they maintained the margin at the final whistle. 

UC continued their run of good form with a seven goal win over Kia Toa 57-50. It was a high scoring opening quarter with the teams going goal for goal. UC took the advantage in the second half of the second quarter opening up a five goal lead by half time. The game was still within Kia Toa’s reach, but the margin was too much to overcome as UC extended their lead to eight going in to the last quarter.

In the other late game at Bishopdale Lincoln University had a more comfortable 13 goal win over Saints (52-39), but had to steadily build on their lead in the opening half. Having set up a six goal margin by half time, Lincoln stretched out the margin by the third quarter and retained that until the final whistle. Janae Riordan relished her time on court shooting 31 of Lincoln’s goals.

St Nicholas had a solid win against St Andrew’s (50-40) who earned promotion to Premier competition from the Saturday Senior 1 grade. St Andrew’s had a strong start to their return to Premier competition and lead to half time, but St Nicholas took the third quarter 16-8 to set up the win.

In the only other Premier 2 game, Kereru B were too strong for Christchurch Girls High School (68-25). Technical B and St Margaret’s will play at a later date.

In Men’s competition Kaiawa played out a thrilling draw against Kia Toa and still remain unbeaten this season, while Revelation secured the points against Kereru. Semi finals take place this week which will be a rematch of this week’s games for Section A.

Section A semi finalists will be playing for the opportunity to play in the Men’s Grand Final to be played as the curtain raiser to The Good Oil Tactix on Sunday 25 July.

Premier 1 statistics:

Kereru A 44 (S Adams 14/16, L Clark 25/33, J Naoupu 5/7) def Technical A (L Pale 14/21, K Ralph 27/32) 41. Qtrs: 12-11, 25-21, 34-35, 44-41.

Lincoln University A 52 (K Grant 8/11, T Placid 13/25, J Riordan 31/41) def Saints A 39 (G Etheredge 22/27, G Jones 7/13, A Priest 10/15). Qtrs: 13-11, 25-19, 41-28, 52-39.

UC A 57 (M Hill 41/48, T Rollo 16/19) def Kia Toa 50 (T Boagni 24/31, O McIntyre 25/32, M Ruki 1/3). Qtrs: 15-14, 33-27, 47-39, 57-50.

Premier 2 statistics:

Kereru B 68 (F Sutherland 14/19, C Kennedy 21/27, A Doig 33/38) def CGHS A 25 (M Smith 10/22, M Keenan 12/18, L Frame 3/13). Qtrs: 13-5, 27-15, 48-20, 68-25.

St Nicholas A 50 def St Andrew’s A 40 (K Williams 19/25, A Galvan 21/24). Qtrs: 13-14, 23-24, 39-32, 50-40.

Men’s competition:

Kaiawa A 48 Kia Toa A 48

Revelation A 53 Kereru A 49

Knights A 61 Kaiawa B 40

Kaiawa C 54 Kereru B 53

Article added: Wednesday 07 July 2021