Technical coach Andrea Cousins likes what Gemma Hazeldine has to offer in the centre bib and believes she could be a mid-court option for the struggling Mainland Tactix.

Hazeldine was used in the role last year and played two quarters at centre for the Technical club side on Tuesday night as the Christchurch Netball Centre’s premier competition whistles blew at Pioneer Stadium, helping her side to a season opening 54-26 win over Saints.

The mid-court has been an area of concern for the Tactix, which are yet to register a win in the ANZ Championship this year, and Cousins felt Hazeldine had plenty to offer in the centre bib.

She said her defence was a strength in the position while her quick release of ball on attack had already been seen in her championship court time at goal attack.

“She makes a decision where the ball’s going before she’s caught it,” Cousins said.  “Her placement of the ball is just perfection.  She has a spark and is certainly strong on defence.”

She brought the Tactix’ new recruit on after her side led Saints 15-10 at the quarter time and Hazeldine made an immediate impact in the middle, picking up intercepts on defence and finding her shooters with ease.

Tactix team-mate Louise Thayer was also introduced in the second quarter as Technical snuffed out Saints’ flow on attack.

They won the spell 16-7 and went on to keep Saints – which tested a number of new combinations throughout the match – to five or fewer goals in each of the remaining two quarters.

Meanwhile, a heavy workload took its toll on a young St Margaret’s side which was soundly beaten by last year’s finalists Lincoln University, 22-59.

The school side had played the night before (Monday) in the national College Netball competition, going down to Southland Girls’ High School by three goals.

Backing up proved a tough ask and they could only manage to score single figures in each quarter against a Lincoln side well drilled with its through-court defence.

Defender Lily Marshall, who has just been named as a reserve for the national secondary school side, got a number of deflections and intercepts for St Margaret’s but they struggled to move the ball through court and accuracy in the shooting circle also hurt the school side.

Defending champions Kereru trailed at the first two breaks against St Nicholas but turned the tables in the third quarter to open their season with a 40-30 victory.

The introduction of mid-courters Kereana Harris and Terauoriwa Harding, along with shooter Julianna Naoupu saw momentum shift as Kereru netted seven goals to St Nicholas’ one straight after the main break to turn the match.

St Nicholas’ captain Geni Tuilagi got a number of tips on defence for her side while goal attack Samaria Thompson combined well with new recruit and Tactix mid-courter Chloe Williamson who came on at half-time.

But play often broke down as the ball entered the attacking third as Kereru’s defence did a solid job keeping their feeders from the circle edge.

Results:

Technical A 54 (Chelsea Bremmer GS1 30/37, Jess Prosser GA1 18/23, Natalie Allen GS2 2/4, Gemma Hazeldine GA2 4/7) beat Saints 26 (Alice Eddington GS1 5/9, Alexandra Priest GA1 12/14, Casey Ashton GS2 8/13, Eddington GA2 1/1).  Quarter scores:  15-10, 31-17, 42-22, 54-26.

Lincoln University A 59 (Elizabeth Hayman GS1 35/43, Kate Shearer GA1 10/12, Emma Stiven GS2 8/13, Hayman GA2 3/6, Stiven GA3 3/6) beat St Margaret’s A 22 (Ella Wells GS1 12/19, Madison Lloyd GA 9/23, Georgia White GS2 1/4).  Quarter scores:  18-7, 33-12, 44-17, 59-22.

Kereru A 40 (Lauren Robb GS1 6/15, Courtney Crammond GA1 5/11, Julianna Naoupu GS2 15/20, Erin McDuff GA2 14/17) beat St Nicholas A 30 (Morgan Renny GS1 8/14, Samaria Thompson GA1 11/19, Lily Nickle GS2 11/15).  Quarter scores:  6-7, 11-13, 25-23, 40-30.