The final games in Round 1 for Premier 1 netball competition were held on Tuesday night, establishing seeding positions heading into the second and final Round. Heading into the round only UC Netball and Saints were sitting at better than 3 and 3, having lost only one game apiece.

In the early game against Lincoln University, Saints continued their winning form, but not before a slow start saw them trailing at the first break by 7-14. Scoring 15 goals to Lincoln's 7 in the second quarter got Saints back on track and from there they increased their lead marginally at each break to eventually win by six, 45-39.

Technical were also behind early in their final game of the round against Kereru A, but only two goals separated the teams at quarter time. While Technical drew ahead in the second scoring 14 goals to 8, Lincoln returned the favour in the third outscoring Kereru 14-9 to take a one goal lead in into the final term. Fiona Ross came back on to court for Jess Prosser in the final quarter, but it was Jess Allen from goal attack who stood up for Technical. At the other end of the court Rachel Albiston and Gabby Janssen also worked together in defence to minimise Kereru's opportunities to score. Technical took over the lead early in the final quarter and extend it to win by four, 52-48.

UC Netball maintained their position at the top of the league ladder with a 21 goal win over Kereru B, 64-43. UC will head into Round 2 as top seeds, closely followed by Saints.

In the late game Kia Toa were clinical in their performance against St Nicholas, winning 56-28. Emma Mamea made the most of her starting opportunity at goal shooter for Kia Toa scoring 49 from 51 attempts. Chelsea Corbett also made a welcome return to the side.

A set of close results defined Premier 2 competition this week with the last games of the round.

St Margaret's continued its dominance in Premier 2 winning the final game of the round by nine goals over Technical B, 59-50. Ivy Brown had another impressive game at Goal Attack, shooting 35 from 39.

UC Netball take second position on the ladder also following a nine goal win over Christchurch Girls High School 62-53, though it was the high school team who lead by five at half time. UC had more scoring shots in the second half and took the lead heading into the final quarter in which they scored 17 goals to 9. In a losing side Maddie Smith was again a standout scoring 38 from 40 attempts while for UC, Kate Fleming also impressed with 33 from 37.

Halswell turned a half time deficit of two into a lead of five by three quarter time against St Andrews and while it was a close final quarter, Halswell held onto the five goal margin to win 64-59 and record their first win for the season following the draw with Lincoln University B last week.

Lincoln University B defeated Kereru C 47-39 after the game opened up from the second quarter onwards.

Premier 1 teams will remain unchanged heading in to Round 2, while in Premier 2 competition Kia Toa B is promoted courtesy of their top of the table finish in Senior 1, with Christchurch Girls High School moving to Senior 1 in their place.

Premier 1 statistics:

Saints A 45 (M Hill 35/43, G Jones 10/11) def Lincoln University A 39 (E Hargreaves 31/37, E Wilkie 8/22). Qtrs: 7-14, 22-21, 36-33, 45-39.

Technical A 52 (F Ross 14/19, J Allen 27-34, J Prosser 11/13) def Kereru A 48 (L Clark 37/48, S Adams 4/7, J Wolfgramm 7/11). Qtrs: 13-15, 27-23, 36-37, 52-48.

UC Netball 64 (R Tulisi 24/29, T Aiono 19-23, L Pale 21-28) def Kereru B 43 (K Ioane 20/26, S Reeves 1/5, H Tallentire 11/13, M Kay 11/17). Qtrs: 16-12, 33-21, 46-34, 64-43.

Kia Toa A 56 (E Mamea 49-51, M Wyma 2/5, C Corbett 5/7) def St Nicholas A 28 N Meikle 4/6, M Prew 6/8, L Robb 18/32). Qtrs: 14-5, 27-10, 41/18, 56-28.

Premier 2 statistics:

Halswell A 64 (J Lancaster 32/36, J Cottam 11/14, C Ashton 21/26) def St Andrews A 59 (A Guard 26/30, K Williams 22/26, M Morrow 11/14). Qtrs: 18-18, 33-35, 50-45, 64-59.

Lincoln University B 47 (J Riordan 10/14, R Keno 10/15, K Crawford 27/45) def Kereru C 39 (S Morton 8/14, L Ah-Chong 6/8, L Taylor 10/14, M Nuku 15/20). Qtrs: 11-10, 24-16, 34-25, 47-39.

St Margarets A 59 (T Hassan 14/18, I Brown 35/39, C Coughlan 10/10) def Technical B (C Campbell 30/39, K Ralph 13/17, C Quinn 3/4, J Reuben 4/6). Qtrs: 15-14, 27-25, 45-39, 59-50.

UC Netball B 62 (S Cusack 21/25, K Fleming 33/37, K Lane 8/11) def CGHS A 53 (M Smith 38/40, E Croft 12/15, M Keenan 3/3). Qtrs: 11-16, 26-31, 45-44, 62-53).

Image courtesy: BR Photos.

Article added: Tuesday 14 June 2022