NETBALL Sacred Heart A too strong

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33230, 21 May 1973, Page 14

NETBALL Sacred Heart A too strong

Saered Heart A was too experienced in all facets of play and easily beat a struggling St Nicholas A team by a handsome margin in the senior netball competition on Saturday.

Burnside A presented a strong challenge in the first half of play being going down to a depleted Technical A side. Riccarton used winning defensive tactics to easily beat Hagiey A. Looking the more co-ordinated team, New Brighton worked hard against Teachers’ College for a deserved victory. In the closest game of the day, notable for its lack of infringements, Sacred Heart B scored its first two points in the competition when it defeated Technical B.

Results of senior games: Sacred Heart A 57. St Nicholas A 10; Technical A 49, Bumside A 34; Riccarton A 45, Hagiey A 25; New Brighton A 31. Teachers' College 22; Sacred Heart B 34, Technical B 33. TOO STRONG Sacred Heart proved too strong in all parts of the court against St Nicholas A. Although it began with determination. St Nicholas wilted under the forceful Sacred Heart play and was down at half-time, 28-3. Sacred Heart was a well coordinated unit, with the defenders, S. Mene. B. Rowberry, and P. Mac Lean, an almost impenetrable defence line to connect with the centre players, M. Dhyberg and J. Fowke, who excelled on attack to feed the shooters, J. Harnett and E. Price, who were able to move and shoot at random in the circle. For St Nicholas. R. Henry was always alert on attack and defence, but could not find the necessary support from her team members to establish a definite pattern of play. Sacred Heart won handsomely. 57-10. DETERMINED CHALLENGE

Bumside A fought determinedly from the outset of play, and had scored two goals before Technical opened its account. However, the more experienced Technical team benefited by the excellent goal shooting of S. Richards. The Burnside shooters, B. Uren and K. Pyne, worked and shot well against the Technical defence. Some fine interceptions by S. Rogers saw Technical ahead at half-time, 24-19. The Burnside defenders, C. Stone and A. McCormack, after a concerted effort in the first half, relaxed the pressure for most of the second half to allow the Technical shooters, F. Granger and S. Richards, more freedom in the circle and easier shots at goal. Technical was well in the lead when Bumside rallied for a late challenge in the dying stages of the match. The final score was 49-34 to Technical A.

SHREWD DEFENCE This game was not as evenly matched as predicted, with Riccarton looking more assured in its forward fine and mid-court plav. The Hagley forwards, R. Pahi and M. Robb, were unable to capitalise on their scoring opportunities In the goal circle, and the defenders, J. Burney and L. Cauley, were quick to take the rebound and swing Riccarton on attack. Bagley’s fault lay in its goal area, where its shooters looked disturbed by the shrewd play of the Riccarton defenders. In order to counter the high lob pass to the goal shooter, Riccarton had placed both defenders on the goal shoot, thus destroying Bagley’s usually successful pass In the circle. Hagley could have countered this defensive measure if the shooter had moved to the top of the circle to split the defence and allow her goal attack more freedom to take a pass.

The Riccarton shooters, D. Gemmell and M. Richardson, were not troubled by the Hagiey defenders in the circle, and they passed confidently and shot well [ to keep Riccarton well in front The final score was 45-25. BETTER DEFENCE With A. Campbell in the goal defence position combining well with C. Davidson. New Brighton looked more established In its defence line, and the College forwards, C. Honeybone and J. Hughey, were troubled to find easy shooting positions. However, with some clever long shots by Miss Honeybone, College managed to stay level with Brighton at half-time, 13-all. Brighton began the second half with forcefulness, dictating play, and, with some fine attacking manoeuvres and superb shooting by D. Erickson and J. Barnett, had scored nine goals before College scored. College fought back and narrowed the gap, but Brighton maintained its pressure on the game to take a deserved win, 31-22. GOOD ATTACK In a very closely contested game, both teams played good controlled attacking netball and shot with accuracy. The Sacred Heart defenders, A. Van Woerkum and B. Giera, worked tenaciously on defence to connect with the attacking players, E. Campfens and C. Carr, whose purposeful play contributed greatly to the team’s shooting successes. Sacred Heart held a five point lead at half-time, 19-14. A concerted effort by the Technical attack and some good shooting by M. Blomquist narrowed the gap to one goal. Sacred Heart responded with a determined challenge, and with B. Martin and C. Taurima combining and shooting well, regained its former five-point lead.

The Technical defenders, C. Banks and A. Burt, guarded well in the circle and rebounded well to swing the ball to the attacks where S. Ruffle fed her shooters consistently. With the score down to one point in Sacred Heart’s favour, Technical became a little over-anxious and made mistakes which cost it the game. The final score was 36-33.

Results of senior and junior handicap tournaments:— Senior.—Final: Villa Maria A 1, Burnside D 2. Section winners: Burnside D, Wycola A, Villa Maria A. Junior.—Final: Malrema F 1, Kia Toa C 2. Section winners: St Nicholas K. Fifth grade.—Section winners: Kia Toa C, Mairema F, Wycola

Sixth grade.—Final: Wycola F 1, Hagley J 2. Section winners: St Mary's College, Wycola F, Sumner-Redcliffs E, Hagley J,