by Jane Sewell

Technical coach Andrea Cousins left Pioneer Stadium early last night preferring to learn the fate of her netball team via a phone call – it was good news which reached her with a berth in Christchurch Netball Centre’s premier club semi-finals.
Her side had earlier lost a thrilling match with Lincoln University 47-49 and were waiting on the result of the late game, between Kereru and Hearts, to determine whether their season would be extended.
Kereru delivered for them, but only just with a 50-38 win over Hearts – a victory which put Kereru straight through to the August 26 final and Technical with a rematch against Lincoln University next week to decide the second finals spot.
Cousins had been pleased with the performance of her side last night but if they are to turn the tables on Lincoln University in seven days will need to lift their accuracy in the shooting circle at crucial times.
Defensively Technical did enough to cause an upset but turned the ball over too many times when the pressure went on.
Lincoln University coach Bev Gordon said they went into the match with “plenty of respect for the most underrated team this season” and were made to work hard for every goal.
“It’s just what we needed heading into the play-offs and I was pleased we led from start to finish even when they kept coming.”
Technical levelled the scores at 30-30 mid-way through the third spell and looked to be putting real pressure on Lincoln University’s flow.
But a couple of untimely misses into the shooting circle gave Lincoln the sniff it needed and the score blew out to six with 15 minutes to play.
“There were patches which weren’t so good, but the girls worked themselves back into it and that’s a good sign before semis.”
Lincoln University captain Jessica Drummond is back to full fitness after a season disrupted by injury and dictated play in the first half.  She face a stern challenge in the second half however when Gemma Hazeldine switched the goal attack bib for centre.
Meanwhile, Kereru started with purpose and pace against Hearts but were left feeling the pressure to hold off a late charging Hearts side and qualify top spot for the play-offs.
The defence off Hearts’ centre pass was faultless in the first quarter and the pressure Kereru exerted was reflected in the 18-5 lead they held at quarter time.
The goals kept coming in the second quarter and the 32-12 halftime score prompted plenty of personnel changes from Hearts coach Helen Mahon-Stroud at the main break.
It was enough to waken Hearts from their slumber as they mounted a remarkable comeback to trail 26-38 at three quarter time.
Switching Anna Thompson into wing attack helped with ball placement into the shooters as Hearts rattled off 14 goals to Kereru’s six in the third quarter – causing some anxious moments for the Kereru bench.
But their first half efforts came back to haunt them as they were unable to get closer than eight goals in the fourth spell.
St Nicholas ended the championship round with a comfortable 53-33 victory over Halswell, their first quarter efforts setting up the win.