Canterbury netballers too good for Otago

Press, 18 July 1977, Page 18

Canterbury netballers too good for Otago

The feature game of Saturday’s netball was the representative match between the Canterbury Under 17s, and the Otago Under 19 team. Canterbury won, 39-26. Although the Otago girls were on average two years older than their opponents, the local team looked the more experienced side. Its fitness too was obvious as the game progressed, and at no stage did Otago look like taking the game. Ann Davidson, the shooter for Canterbury, moved well in the circle and shot with ease, seemingly untroubled by keeper Vai O’Reilly. In the second half Otago applied a double defence on Davidson. But with good support from Deidre Snow’ and well directed passes from centre Lyn McLennan, the ball still found its way to Davidson’s hands, and gradually Canterbury built on its half time lead of seven goals to emerge the winner by 13 goals. For Otago, the attack Beverly Mcßride moved well in the circle but was inaccurate in shooting and the many rebounds went to Canterbury keeper Jennifer Redman. Canterbury’s ball skills were evident and with youngsters like Wai Taumauna in the team when still only 14 indicates that Canterbury’ has depth in its netball which will service the senior side in years to come. The teams were:— Canterbury: Ann Davidson, Deidre Snow, Christine Byrch (captain), Lynn McLennan, Nichola Robinson, Wai Taumauna, Jennifer Redman. Otago: Juliet Purvis. Beverly Mcßride, Robin Taukato, Necla Jopson, Stephanie Devine, Vai O’Reilly. In the senior competition all games were close and hard fought with upsets in both sections. Burnside A now leads the competition but were extended bv Riccarton in gaining its win. The much improved Hagley side actually led Technical at half time and It was only in the latter stages of the game that Technical got the upper hand. In section two Bumside B had an upset win over the more experienced Sacred Heart B and Cashmere had its best game to date drawing with Teachers College 24 all. Burnside B 34, Sacred Heart 27 Burnside began strongly and with some accurate shooting from Deidre Snow and Christine Annan quickly established a six goal advantage. A few wild passes and a lapse in concentration allowed Sacred Heart to close the gap to come within one goal at half time. Sacred Heart had endless attempts at goal from the outset of nlav in the second half but both Gabrielle Brocklehurst and Sue Costello, though moving well in the circle, were unable to net the shots. Reliance on the lob pass gave Bumside’s centre Phillippa Suckling and yving defence Sue Roberts some well timed interceptions.

Sacred Heart had a height advantage throughout the court but it failed to use it to best advantage. Burnside were quicker to the loose ball and showed more determination on attack, deservedly taking its .second successive win. Burnside A 2», Riccarton 22 Bumside opened the scoring with a quick goal from Adrienne Prattley. This young 18-year-old seldom misses and must have one of the highest goal averages in the senior competition. Shooter for Riccarton Vicki Larsen showed early that she too was on form and three netted shots from her and one from i attack Julie McManus gave Riccarton an eariv lead 4-2.

Riccarton had missed the services of wing defence Cathy Slave and her return brought the team back to its full strength. Play see sawed up and down the court with both teams having eoual possession and scoring goal for goal. Bumside’s centre Kay Scott had Eliza Coffey well covered in the centre court and from the centre throw off, Riccarton was forced to throw backward, thus delaying the ball reaching the goal circle. Fine play and circle understanding bv Julie McManus and Larsen gave Rigcarton a one

goal lead. This was quickly pegged back by equally good rapport in the Burnside circle and Burnside were ahead 16-15 at half time.

Burnside’s centre Kay Scott came off with an ankle injury, but was ably replaced by the versatile Natalie Hall who fits into any position on the court. With the senior title in sight for both teams, the pressure was on and at both ends the shooters wilted under the pressure and scoring opportunities were lost. Defences at both ends were quicker to snap up the rebounds, with Katrina Milicich and Heather Kench having the edge to give Burnside the extra ball it needed. Technical 30, Hagley 24 Technical, having its first match for over a month looked as if it had lost its sharpness and a degree of fitness with the break. Hagley on the other hand had had regular matches and with each game has shown improvement not only in court play, but in the accuracy of its shooters. Vivienne Henderson was in splendid form moving with comparative ease and combining well with Lyndsay Pugh, despite the strong defence of Technicals Lyn Caughley and Maxine Blanquist. Hagley looked the more determined team and tn the first half had more possession than Tech-

nical. At half time Hagley had a slender one goal lead.

The crowd, sensing an upset! win, gathered round the court ' for the second half. Careless; passing lost Hagley valuable pos-' session and Technical moves began to synchronise. Centre Felicity Scott worked well with wing attack Ann Van Jorgenson to feed Robin Foster and slowly Technical drew ahead and then opened up a five goal gap. Emily Regan and Dyana Barnett worked tirelessly in the goal circle applying a double block on main shooter Robin Foster. Foster is used to this play and with a deceptive body move still gained possession. Hagley looked to be tiring in the second half, having given its all in the exciting first half. Technical were given a fright but had the upper hand in the closing stages of the game. Teachers College 24, Cashmere 24 College began well and looked set to take an easy victory. But it completely underestimated the Cashmere forward line, and soon found itself struggling to keep up with Cashmere whose goal attack, Linda Shepherd, completely dominated the forward court, moving with ease and shooting accurately. Shooter Gael Schroeder was quicker to the rebound position than College’s Joanna Ede and the few missed goals were rebounded shots for Cashmere.

The game was epen with little contact called for either aide. Both teams slowed play by holding the ball just too long as if afraid the receiver would not be able to catch the pass. Too often the gap which had opened up had closed again because the passing was too slow. For Cashmere Hilary Mauger played consistently well as did College’s wing attack Lyn Menzies.

The Techtilcal-Burnside encounter will now be eagerly awaited to see who represents Canterbury in the Bromley competition which decides New Zealand’s top netball club side.