As the end of the season approaches, and with semi-final places on the line, the seeded games start to shape the leader board in Premier netball in Christchurch.

The early game in Premier 1 was expected to be a tight contest between Kia Toa and UC and the match certainly didn’t disappoint. It was a tight first quarter, with UC taking the early advantage but in the second Kia Toa outscored UC 2 goals to 1 to take a four goal lead into half time. But much as the second quarter belonged to Kia Toa, the third quarter belonged to UC scoring 15 goals to Kia Toa’s nine to take a slender two goal lead into the final quarter.

It was a tense final quarter. Both teams had equal opportunities to score, but having taken the lead into the final quarter and shooting at 86 per cent for the quarter it was UC who finished the stronger to win by 5. Casey Ashton impressed with her injection into the game in the last quarter for Kia Toa shooting at 100 per cent, while for UC Tiuana-Marie Aiono shot 21 from 22 at 95 per cent. Pippa Wippperfuerth was instrumental for UC from her position at Centre.

In the two late games at Bishopdale it was Technical against Saints and Kereru against Lincoln University, with much expected from both games.

Saints matched Technical in the first quarter with only two goals separating the teams at the first change. Technical won the second quarter by a greater advantage, but only six goals separated the teams at half time, the closest of Technical’s recent contests. But the third quarter was telling. Technical poured on 21 goals, while Saints could only score 6 and suddenly the margin at three quarter time was out to 21. For Technical, Goal Shooter Jess Prosser shot 19 from 21 for the quarter, while Saints opportunities were limited by Technical’s defensive effort lead by Tiffany Challis, Lily Marshall and Kiarna Sorensen. It was a closer final quarter to finish the game, but Technical won comfortably in the end, 65-41.

In the other late game Kereru against Lincoln was expected to be a lot closer. Both sides started strongly with Kereru just taking the edge at quarter time. They extended their advantage to six by half time with Julianna Naoupu shooting 16 from 18 for the quarter. Comfortable with changing their combinations, Kereru coach Vicky McSherry substituted Naoupu and Goal Attack Tyler Rollo for  Maia Hill and Claudia Lewis in the second half. Maia Hill impressed with 19 from 20 and Kereana Iosefo-Harris led her team from the front at Wing Attack. The second half belonged to Kereru scoring 30 to Lincoln’s 21, Kereru winning by a margin of 15, 65-50, leaving both them and Technical unbeaten for the Round before they play each other next week prior to semi finals.

Lincoln and Saints will both be fighting for the third semi final place next week. Lincoln plays Kia Toa and Saints plays plays UC. A win by Lincoln will ensure their place in the semi final.

In Premier 2 games, top of the table leaders to date Technical B and Christchurch Girls High A were set to play the match of the round. This was expected to be a tight contest, but Technical stamped their authority on this game from the outset and scored a comfortable win 62-37 to put them clear at the top of the Premier 2 leader board.

St Nicholas A won a close game against St Andrew’s A 51-49 and similarly Villa Maria A held on in another close one against St Margarets 57-55. Villa Maria and CGHS are currently tied on points in second with St Andrews one game further back making next week’s games critical for the finals make up. Next week sees Technical against Villa Maria, St Nicholas against CGHS and St Margarets against St Andrews. Semi final places will rest on the outcomes of the first two games.

Premier 1 statistics:

Kereru 65 (J Naoupu GS1 28/32, T Rollo GA1 7/9, M Hill GS2 19/20, C Lewis GA2 11/16) def Lincoln Uni 50 (M Borst GS1 28/35, B James GA1 9/14 GS2 9/11, A Adams GA2 4/7). Qtr scores: 16-14, 35-29, 49-39, 65-50.

UC 47 (C Quinn GS 26/34, T Aiono GA 21/22) def Kia Toa 42 (R Petero GS1 19/24, C Corbett GA 16/23, C Ashton GS2 37/7). Qtr scores: 13-11, 20-24, 35-33, 47-42.

Technical 65 (J Prosser GS1 32/38 T Placid GA1 20/25, L Clarke GS2 12/19, M Lloyd GA2 1/4) def Saints 41 (A Priest GS1 20/26 GS3 8/10, L Sim GA1 9/14, O Busbridge GS2 0/1, K Bailey GA2 4/6). Qtr scores: 15-12, 29-23, 50-29, 65-41.

Article added: Thursday 08 August 2019