Canty set for third national netball title

Press, 25 August 1980, Page 3

Canty set for third national netball title

Forty-eight teams divided into four grades will compete in the national netball I tournament, which, for the first time in. 15 years, is to be held on Hagley Courts next week. ■ The 12 top netball provinces will battle for the national title. They - are Auckland, Canterbury. Canterbury Country, Hutt Valley, King Country Manawatu, North Shore, Otago, Rotorua, South Canterbury, Waikato, and Wellington. ". On paper the powerful Canterbury side must be fie [hot favourite; to retain ite national title, for the third successive year. Runner-up in 1979. Auckland will again be the strongest challenger. Having beaten Canterbury in the recent Raro-Television New Zealand challenge series, its hopes must be high that it can repeat this performance. Its defence line-up is strong and experienced. Much interest will be centred on its new 17-year-old goal shoot, Sue McKay, wtio moves to goal attack, and Sharon Wilson, who goes to wing attack. Auckland’s hope is pinned on its new forward line combination. Wellington must be in contention, though it did not look strong in the Raro Television series. However this was played at the beginning of the netball season and since then Wellington has strengthened its side. Pauline Knaggs, formerly of Canterbury and back after injury, will be a major asset. A floating player, stie comes out for.the interception and

lis always a danger for the i unsuspecting forward court [player. Liz Nielson, the goal defence, is another player [capable of the brilliant interiception and her rapport with the New Zealand goal-keep-er, Millie Monroe should give goal shooters problems aplenty. King Country, Hutt Valley: (and Waikato appear to be of[ a similar standard, Lyn Parker, the New Zealand captain, will lead the Waikato side and ‘has undertaken the onerous task of both ■coaching and playing. I Manawatu start as the underdog of the first grade section. Hawke’s Bay, relegated to second grade after the 1979 nationals,, will be wanting A grade status again and looks good with a new young team. Canterbury Country, having won the second grade at last year’s nationals, is determined to acquit itself well in the top section. South Canterbury will still have the strong circle combination former New Zealand attack, Frances Granger, and her club mate of many years standing, Robin Rawston. However, it has lost its powerful goal keeper, Sandra Heffernan, to Canterbury. South Canterbury is capable of surprises and it would certainly be a major one should it upset Auckland or Canterbury. With each team playing II matches in six' days, the contest is a gruelling one with fitness and endurance playing a major role in deiciding the top netballing province for 1980.