Netball squad too strong

Press, 7 June 1982, Page 14

Netball squad too strong

Canterbury's senior netball squad proved far too strong for its opposition at the South Island squad tournament at the Hagley courts at the week-end. On Saturday, the Canterbury senior side thrashed Southland. 68-13, and beat the Canterbury under 20 team, 49-22. Yesterday it accounted for Otago, 3849; Canterbury Country, 49-22; and South Canterbury, 57-18. Otago suited strongly against Canterbury and the teams matched goals. The Ougo goaldefence, Shelley McMeekan, and the goal-keeper, Lyn Proudlove, were in excellent touch and Bronwyn Barker was excelling at goal shoot. But McMeekan retired injured when Canterbury was ahead by only one goal, and Otago lost confidence after her departure. Canterbury raced to a 19-7 lead at half-time, and both shooters, Ann Davidson and Diana Sullivan, were faultless in the second half, neither missing an attempt Canterbury had a different line-up against Canterbury Country and it again took- time to establish its combinations. Country had a promising goal-shoot and Annette Blomquist, at goal defence, was very sound. However, once Canterbury had settled into stride, it took command and. with Davidson again shooting accurately, Canterbury finished clear by 27 points. Davidson was in outstanding shooting form against South Canterbury in the final match. She scored from. 26 of her 27 shots in the first spell. With Lynne McLennan and Wai Taumaunu playing in their best form, Canterbury passed with skill and distributed the ball well to the shooters, who scored consistently. In the Prudential under-age regional tournament, held fOr the first time, Canterbury again showed its depth. The under-18 team won its final against Geraldine, 47-10, and the under-16 side beat Lincoln, 3642, in its final.