Six unbeaten netball teams

Press, 25 August 1983, Page 38

Six unbeaten netball teams

From

KAY FORRESTER,

in Gisborne Six senior sides remain unbeaten at the national netball tournament in Gisborne — but not without some hiccups in form. The middle-graded Hawke’s Bay extended both Auckland and Waikato, trailing Auckland by only two goals at half-time and Waikato by nine. North Shore almost succumbed to the newly promoted South Waikato, picking up its game in only the final moments of play. Otago was hard-pressed to beat a determined Canterbury Country side, whose downfall was again its inability to net goals. Canterbury took no chances against Rotorua and played its top line-up but did not look impressive despite winning, 52-38. The injured Wai Taumaunu was in obvious pain with her ankle. Although it wasjieavily strapped she was Reluctant to test it with her full weight and winced when

forced to do so. Canterbury’s morning game was against the Canterbury Country side and its coach, Cath Brown, rested Taumaunu and Lynne McLennan. Geane Hohipuha had a sound game in attack combining well with Leigh Gibbs to provide good shooting possession. Although up, 21-9 at the interval, Canterbury allowed its country cousin back into the match at 2317. Some excellent shooting by the 16-year-old Deanna Cooper and .the experienced Maxine Loffhagen gave Country a chance and Annette Blomquist stopped many Canterbury moves at the other end of the court.

Canterbury shifted into top gear half-way through the half and Country’s accuracy in the goal circle deserted it yet again to enable the national titleholder to break away to a 41-21 win.

Today Canterbury will meet its first competition

from the top six when it plays an in-form Wellington. Its other match is against Hawke’s Bay. Relegation looms closer for South Canterbury with every match the side plays. Losing to Waikato, 15-40, the team had difficulty in getting the ball down the court and repeatedly had to play backwards.

In the . match against Wellington, the side also had no chance, losing 18-48. Today it meets Otago and Southland. The-latter will be an interesting match as the loser will probably drop to second grade next year. Results from the third day.

Round one — First grade: Auckland 27, Hawkes Bay .20; Waikato 40, South Canterbury 15. Second grade: Nelson 26, King Country 24; Western Bay of Plenty 44, Hutt Valley .29. Third grade: Howick-Paku-ranga 34, West Auckland Districts 29; Ashburton 47, North Otago ■ 31. Fourth grade: Temuka and Districts 28, Hawke’s Bay Minor 14;

Wairarapa 30, Te Kawau 27. Round two. — First grade: North Shore 49, Rotorua 29; Wellington 51,' Southland 17. Second grade: Thames Valley 39, Wanganui 32; Taranaki 24, Auckland Sub-assns 22. Third grade: West Coast 38, Otago Country 20; Northland 45, Matamata 23. Fourth grade: Hokitika 33, Poverty Bay-East Coast 24; Horowhenua 51, Manawatu Minor 21. Round three. — First grade: Canterbury 41, Canterbury Country 21; Otago 44, South Waikato 24. Second grade: Wellington Sub-assns 29, Waikato Sub-assns 26; Manawatu 30, Poverty Bay 28. Third grade: Counties 29, Southland Country 22; South Canterbury Country 36, Eastern Bay of Plenty 29. Fourth grade: Marlborough 40, Hutt Valley Minor 23; Wairoa 29, Nelson Minor 14. Round four. — First grade: Wellington 48, South Canterbury 18; Waikato 33, Ifawkes Bay 19. Second graded Wanganui 37, Western Bay of Plenty 29; Taranaki 33, King

Country 30. Third grade: Northland 40, Howick-Paku-ranga 30; West Coast 29, West Auckland Districts 22. Fourth grade: Horowhenua 33, Te Kawau 30; Temuka • and Districts 44, Poverty Bay-East Coast 15.

Round five. — First grade: Auckland. 48, Southland 17; Otago 34, Canterbury Country 24. Second grade: Manawatu 27, Nelson 19; Waikato Subassns 38, Hutt Valley 31. Third grade: Counties 37, North Otago 21; Ashburton 43, South Canterbury Country 21. Fourth grade: Marlborough 32, Hawkes Bay Minor 15; Wairoa 29, .Manawatu Minof 24.

Round six: First grade: Canterbury 52, Rotorua 38; North Shore 39, South Waikato 34. Second grade: Poverty Bay 34, Auckland Sub-assns 22; Wellington Sub-assns 34, Thames Valley 30. Third grade: Otago Country 25, Matamata 22; Eastern Bay of Plenty 29, Southland Country 27. Fourth grade: Wairarapa 47, Nelson Minor 8; Hokitika 31, Hutt Valley Minor 16.