Wind upset for netballers

Press, 1 May 1978, Page 14

Wind upset for netballers

High winds made playing conditions tricky for senior netballers on Saturday and the most successful teams were those that adopted a style of play to suit. ’Hie upset of the day was the comfortable win by St Nicholas over the strong Sacred Heart A side. Tiiis was the first win for St Nicholas over Sacred Heart in 15 years, and the team must go into the third round feeling confident of its chances against Hagley. After two rounds the joint leaders, all with four points, are St Nicholas. Technical and Sacred Heart B. Riccarton 27, Burnside 17 The test curtain-raiser was played in gusty conditions, and Riccarton adapting itself slightly better to the wind, ran out tlie comfortable winner over Burnside. Goal shooting from under the posts was a necessity in the tricky conditions, and Riccarton opened strongly with some good shooting by Bridget Hishon. The new’ Riccarton goal keeper, Emily Regan, positioned herself well in the circle, and showed a good understanding with her team-mate, Julie McManus. Lob passes were dangerous exercises in the wind and Riccarton. realising this, used short chest passes to bring the ball through the court and into the circle. At half-time, it led 14-9, and looked poised for a win. But the good form of the first spell appeared to have left Riccarton early in the second. The ball was blown everywhere but into the goal, and Hishon and Sara Fitzgerald missed four goals on end. Cathv Slave, wing attack, and Karen "Ericson, at centre, began to control the game for Riccarton during this crucial period, and used short well-timed biased passes to mount attacks in the Bumside circle. The height of the Burnside goal keeper, Wai Taumanu, could not prevent Hishon scoring regularly, although she managed a higher percentage of rebounds. Burnside will no doubt welcome the return of Its New Zealand representative. Adrienne Prattley, for next week’s game. St Nicholas 32, Sacred Heart A 17 St Nicholas attacked from the start of the game, and soon had established a marked superiority in most areas of the court over a lack-lustre Sacred Heart. It was a fine team effort by St Nicholas, as every player adapted her game to the wind. Spearheaded by the centre, Lyn McLennan, it moved the ball quickly through the court with short, controlled passes. Lobs were rare, giving Sacred Heart little chance to intercept. The Sacred Heart goalie, Sally Diene, and the defence. Danae Gooseman. were given few opportunities to shine at the back, although they tried a double block on the high-scoring Ann Davidson in a vain attempt to contain her.

Davidsons well-timed moving and accurate shooting once again proved a spur to her team, and the win was a tribute to the way the whole side commited itself. Sacred Heart B 28, Teachers College 13. The first half of’ this match was a scrappy affair, as the wind played havoc with the ball. Both sides struggled for possesion as the blustery conditions floated the ball about disconcertingly, making passing and shooting difficult. Sacred Heart made most of (he early play and took the lead, but accurate goals from Carol Honeybone pegged the scoring back. At half-time. Teachers’ College trailed 10-13. But the second half was a disaster for College. Its fitter opponents were much faster to the loose ball and appeared to leave the students standing. College resorted to lobs to the extent that the Sacred Heart defence, Brenda Roweberry, looked as though she was an eighth player for the Coliege side. Roweberry had a field day, collecting interceptions from both the right and left sides with ease Daphne White and Mary Ann Kibblewhite bought the ball through the court with ease, giving the shooters Penny Berry and Gabrielle Martin all the ball they needed to ensure the win. Technical A 85, Burnside B 16 Technical had no trouble in defeating Burnside B, and in all facets of the game were vastly superior. With a half-time score of 36-8. Burnside could have been forgiven for giving up and it says much for the spirit of the side that it went on trying until the final whistle. Technical’s greater - experience showed as it controlled the ball In the wind, and its combination of greater height throughout the court and better ball skills allowed Burnside little room to develop attacks. The Technical goal attack Frances Granger and the goal shooter Robin Foster enjoyed a magnificent gaol average under the difficult conditions, and displayed a formidable partnership that could not be matched by Burnside. Hagley 40, Cashmere 14. Hagley displayed an admirable approach to the conditions in its match against Cashmere, and a full team effort was rewarded with a fine wind. Playing a short game with little passes to each player coming forward to meet the ball, Hagley had little difficulty in breaching the defence into the circle, and this good court play was complemented with some fine shooting by Vivienne Henderson and Lyndsay Pugh. Chris Pietzner dominated again in the centre court, while on defence the new goal keeper for Hagley, Dianne Petrie, had her best game of the season. Next week’s clash with the up and coming St Nicholas team should be the highlight.