Bad weather mars netball titles

Press, 21 August 1979, Page 32

Bad weather mars netball titles

Special correspondent High winds and cold weather made playing difficult when the fiftieth New Zealand netball tournament began in New Plymouth at the Waiwakaiho courts yesterday. Shooters had a trying day, and low scores were common. Canterbury, seeded top in the first grade, impressed from the outset, playing controlled netball and adapting well to the conditions. Ann Davidson and Adrianne Prattley shot accurately to give the team an early lead in its game against Hutt Valley, and it went on to Win, 36-17. The wing defence, Pauline Devine, had a particularly good game, taking valuable interceptions in Hutt’s forward court to give Canterbury the extra possession. Wai Taumaunu and Cia Stenstrom were strong on defence, and made penetration difficult. Rotorua and North Shore

also impressed as teams to watch. Auckland and Wellington registered first-round wins over Manawatu and King Country, but disappointed spectators in that they failed to adapt their play to the conditions. In the second grade, Nelson and South Auckland had good wins. Canterbury Country had every chance in its match against the lessfavoured Matamata side. Too many shots were missed and Country seemed worried by the defence zone set up by Matamata. It. failed to penetrate at the first opportunity and passes across court were snapped up. For Country, the centre, J. Higginson, played well, and Annette Blomquist was strong on defence. Matamata won by two goals, 22-20. The third grade competition had a disastrous start for Ashburton. Crosswinds closed New Plymouth Airport and it lost its first game by default to Howick. For Ashburton, seeded top in this grade and with every

chance to take the Kiwi Trophy .it was a major disappointment. Taranaki overwhelmed Temuka, but Marlborough had a closely fought game with Thames Valley before conceding defeat, 36-32. West Coast had a 24-24 draw with Otago Country. Results:

First grade: Wellington 20, King Country 4; Otago 32, Hawke’s Bay 27; Canterbury 36, Hutt Valley 17; North Shore 36, South Canterbury 27; Rotorua 27, Waikato 20; Auckland 28, Manawatu 22. Second grade: Nelson 27; Waikato sub-associations 27; Auckland sub-associations 24, Western Bar of Plenty 19; Wanganui 24, Southland 24; South Auckland 34, West Auckland Districts 18; Matamata 22, Canterbury City 20; South Waikato 26. Poverty Bar 21. Third grade: Taranaki 32, Teinuka and districts 17: Howick beat Ashburton by default; Otago Country 24, West Coast 24: Thames Valley 36. Marlborough 32; Southland City 24, Eastern Bav of Plentv 21; Horowhenua 32, Northland 26. Fourth grade: South' Canterbury minor 35, Hokitika 17; Wairoa 20, Hutt Valley minor 12; Wairarapa 27. Poverty Bav-East Coast 20; Hawke’s Bay minor 30, Manawatu minor 8; North Otago 31, Te Kawau 8; Wellington minor 32, Nelson minor 11.