Canty opens season with clean sweep

Press, 13 July 1981, Page 25

Canty opens season with clean sweep

Canterbury netball teams opened their representative season in fine style with a clean sweep of wins at Hagley Courts on Saturday. The visiting Hutt Valley side showed early season lack of cohesion losing 35-44 to Canterbury under 20 in the official match and lost 22-53 to Canterbury A in a practice match. . Otago under 20 suffered a similar fate in their practice game against Canterbury B and was never a threat against Canterbury senior reserve.

Canterbury under 20 44, Hutt Valley 35

This year Hutt Valley has only the shooters. Debbie Bunker and Jo Jewell, back from last season and a lot of hard work is required before the new caps settle into a working combination.

On Saturday the northern side also was without its recognised goal-keeper, Julie Parris, who was injured. Canterbury under 20 established the early lead and was combining well to enable Deidre Snow at wing attack to give the shooters. Angela and Jan Pickering. plenty of scoring opportunities. The'Pickering sisters play for different club sides, but combined well, with Jan, at goal shoot, having a decided height advantage over Hutt Valley’s Pauline Moyes.

Hutt Valley's centre. Dale Hearfield. was' hesitant with her throw-off passes and Canterbury took advantage of this to apply more pressure and give Suzanne Camp, at wing defence, and Angela Pule, at goal defence, the chance for several interceptions. Lynn Jackson, at wing attack for Hutt Valley, made excellent use of the limited possession that came her way, and judged her pass from the centre transverse line to place it accurately into the gap in Canterbury’s defence and give Bunker the ball in the circle for a sure goal. But these opportunities were rare as the Canterbury defence line-up of Pule and Camp backed by Rosemary Clifford, at keeper, kept a tight rein on the attack's movements. Hutt Valley was still in with a chance at half-time only five goals behind. Canterbury replaced Pule, at goal defence, with Joanne Sullivan. but this made no difference to the defence line-up. The centre. Rosalie Doyle, was always in position to’ receive the interception from her defence and equally able to go up for the high ball when Hutt Valley tried to clear from the few rebounds. Hutt Valley continued to make simple errors and never looked a danger to give Canterbury a comfortable win.

Umpires: Mesdames J. Hefford and P. Tainui.

Canterbury senior reserve 31.

Otago under 20 23

Otago took the chance to give all its players a run in a.practice game against Canterbury B and there was little surprise in the result. Canterbury coasting home. 40-11. In the official fixture in the afternoon Canterbury senior reserve proved too strong for the younger Otago side. Canterbury displayed good control and cohesion through the court, finishing this off with accurate shooting from Colleen Ryan and Julie Auston. and was quickly ahead. 9-2.

Otago’s shooting was suspect until the goal attack. Marelda O’Rourke, took control and closed the gap to three goals. However, basic errors by Otago were utilised by Canterbury and converted to a half-time lead of 18-12.

Otago's goal keeper. Jan Marshal. was rewarded for her concentration and dedication to take several fine interceptions and give Otago scoring chances, but these were hard won with the Otago attacks. O'Rourke and Sandra de Ruiter. under constant pressure from the Canterbury defence. Ann Robertson and Christine Mitchell. Otago was gallant in defeat, but could not close the gap.

Umpires: Mesdames C. Anthonv and J. Woodham.