Tournament victory for Canterbury

Press, 4 June 1984, Page 14

Tournament victory for Canterbury

Canterbury was unbeaten in the South Island Squad netball tournament at the Hagley Courts at the week-end The two-day tournament featured Otago, Southland, and South Canterbury, as well as other lower graded South Island sides. Canterbury notched up wins against South Canterbury, 4526; Otago, 47-18; Nelson, 51-3; Ashburton, 59-18; Canterbury Country, 49-20; and Southland, 41-15. The side lost Catherine de Ruiter with a foot injury in the first match and continued with seven players. Jan Pickering was the other absent player because of New Zealand under-21 commitments. Canterbury never looked seriously challenged, not even by Otago, who last year toppled the local side at this tournament. Canterbury Country had two losses in its six matches against Canterbury and Otago, the latter by just one goal, 34 to 33. The side recorded wins against South Canterbury Country, 51-8; Ashburton, 39-20; Nelson, 35-24; and Southland 30-29. The team’s play was mixed, including an excellent match against Otago but some very patchy play against Southland and Canterbury. The player to stand out was Annette Blomquist in the defence. She stopped many moves by opposition teams. The side also lost a player, Raelyn White, through injury on the first day of the tournament. Canterbury 47 v. Otago 18 Canterbury got a flying start, scoring nine goals before Otago had registered one goal. The Otago goal shooters, Pauline Tuavera and Catherine Godsall, could not shoot accurately. Otago did not play its three New Zealand under-21 players, Tina Haslett, Barbara Webster and Julie Carter. It was also without Donna Smith who was injured in the first match of the tournament. Canterbury was simply too strong, racing away to a 20goal lead at half-time against the young Otago team. In the centre court, in particular the Canterbury players had free reign, swinging the ball through the court. Leigh Gibbs and Lynne McLennan were able to take the ball easily, clearing away from their partners. Canterbury got to 19 goals before Otago scored its second goal. Tuavera and Godsall had a shocking match. Waimarama Taumaunu and Jennifer Readman played a tight defensive combination to give them little chance. Changes to the Otago line-up in the second half did little to improve its play. The percentage of shots scored improved, however, and the deficit in the second half was not as great. Canterbury 41 v. Southland 15 Although a first grade tournament side, Southland was no match for Canterbury. With a half-time score of 21-7 Canterbury doubled its effort in the second half to run up a scored of 41-15. The side played competent, if not spectacular, netball and the coach, Kay O'Reilly, could be satisfied with the movement of the ball down the court. The combination of Lynne McLennan, wing attack, and Leigh Gibbs, centre, .worked well, giving the team a solid centre court base on which to build moves. In the second half the shooters, Diana Sullivan and Stephanie Stokes, had more trouble finding the net with their shots. The side showed in this match, however, that it still had some work to do to get back to the top of New Zealand netball. Canterbury 49 v. Canterbury Country 20 Country did not get a good start to the match, missing its first four attempts at goal. The Country side seemed unsure and silly mistakes lost it possession. Maxine Loffliagen, at centre, seemed a little out of her depth as she is a goal attack. The decision to play her rather than the first-choice centre, Trish Coleman, spoilt Country’s rhythm in the centre court. Canterbury’s Leigh Gibbs was able to control from the mid-court. Country’s defence of Maxine Munro and Annette Blomquist played determinedly, making the Canterbury shooters work hard. Country's shooters, Debbie Joblin and Deana Cooper, regained their accuracy as the match went on, netting a more respectable percentage of shots, although still not a high enough one. Waimarama Taumaunu and Jennifer Readman

provided very tight defence for Canterbury giving no chances of rebounds for the Country shooters. Canterbury had taken a 24 goal to nine advantage by halftime. Stephanie Stokes’ high shooting action gave the Country defenders little chance in the second half, although they continued trying. Otago 34 v. Canterbury Country 33 The Canterbury side fought well against the more highly ranked Otago team. The shooting combination of Deana Cooper and Debbie Joblin did well against experienced opposition. The coach, Ethna Rouse, opted to switch the defence around for the second half. It was a good move. Maxine Munro joined her sister, Annette Blomquist, in the circle and Rosie Oliver moved out to the wing. The sisters provided a formidable defence, the experience of Munro being a telling factor. Although not yet match fit after a break from netball, Munro will be a key factor in the side. With the scores tied at 18-all at the break, Canterbury had a fine second half only letting the match slip away in the final seconds. Otago’s last minute effort gave it the match and the side deserved its win. However, Canterbury was very unlucky to lose. Canterbury Country 30 v. Southland 29 Southland pushed Counterburv hard throughout the first half, making the Country side work. Canterbury struggled to find the form that saw it almost beat Otago. Some of the players seemed to lack fitness after six matches in two days. Country led by 13 goals to 12 at the break’ Annette Blomquist had another good game in the defence, stopping or slowing several Southland moves. Debbie Joblin made the most of the shooting opportunities although Deana Cooper, the goal shoot, missed a number of shots. Southland improved its effort in the second half to come to within one goal at the end and was unlucky to lose. Results: Otago 33, West Coast 21; Canterbury 45, South Canterbury 26; Southland 34, Canterbury B 34; Canterbury Country 51, South Canterbury Country 8; Otago Country 36, Canterbury Country U2O 25; Canterbury U2O 39, North Otago 27; Nelson 41, Ashburton 30; Ashburton U2O 24, Southland U2O 23; Canterbury Ul6 19, Hokitika 17; Buller 43, South Canterbury U2O 23; Otago 31, Canterbury U 20 29. Canterbury 51, Nelson 3; Southland 41, South Canterbury 27; Canterbury Country 39, Ashburton 20; Canterbury B 37, South Canterbury Country 12; Otago Country 25, West Coast 23; North Otago 34, Canterbury Country U2O 22; Ashburton U2O 20, Hokitika 14; Canterbury UlB 30, Buller 29; Southland U2O 27, South Canterbury U2O 20; Southland 32, North Otago 21. Canterbury 59, Ashburton 18; Otago 30, Southland Canterbury 26; Canterbury Country 35, Nelson 24, West Coast 27, Canterbury Country U2O 17; Canterbury B 38, Otago Country 18: Canterbury U2O 40, South Canterbury Country 16; Buller 32, Ashburton U2O 30; Hokitika 27, South Canterbury U 20 20; Canterbury UlB 35, Southland U2O 23. Canterbury 41, Southland 15; Otago 34, Canterbury Country 33; South Canterbury 31, Canterbury U2O 28; Ashburton 29, South Canterbury Country 28; Otago Country 55, South Canterbury U2O 14; West Coast 36, North Otago 30; Canterbury UlB 30, Ashburton U2O 18; Canterbury Country L'2o 33, Hokitika 14; Buller 30, Southland U2O 30; Canterbury B 38, Nelson 32. Canterbury 49, Canterbury Country 20; Otago 34, Southland 25; Nelson 35, South Canterbury 21; North Otago 40, Hokitika 21; Otago Country 31, Buller 21; Canterbury Country U2O, 33, Ashburton U2O 30; Canterbury UlB 39, South Canterbury U2O 14; Canterbury U2O 42, West Coast 11; Southland U2O 41, South Canterbury Country 30; Canterbury B 35, Ashburton 16. Canterbury 47, Otago 18; Canterbury Country 30, Southland 29; Nelson 43, Canterbury Country L'2o 27; South Canterbury Country 34, North Otago 28; Ashburton 38, West Coast 20; Hokitika 22, Buller 10; Ashburton U2O 28, South Canterbury U2O 26; Otago Country 41, Canterbury UlB 18; Canterbury U2O 44, Southland U2O 16; South Canterbury 34, Canterbury B 23.