Netball victories impressive

Press, 23 August 1984, Page 38

Netball victories impressive

From

KAY FORRESTER

Timaru Canterbury sported a new line-up and a new uniform for two wins during the third day of play in the national netball tournament in Timaru yesterday. Canterbury comfortably beat Canterbury Country, 45-25, in its morning game, and in the afternoon trounced the newly-pro-moted Thames Valley, 55-13. Canterbury remains one of five unbeaten sides in the senior grade after an upset win to Rotorua over North Shore, 29-27. The other unbeaten teams are Auckland, Wellington, Waikato and Otago. The Canterbury side produced its best netball so far and looked most impressive. Against Canterbury Country, the coach, Kay O’Reilly, opted to stand down Leigh Gibbs and play her three shooters, Stephanie Stokes (goal shoot), Jan Pickering (goal attack) anA Diana Sullivan (wing Attack).

Lynne McLennan played at centre and relished the greater workload, directing play efficiently. Stokes and Pickering shot confidently, ‘ as did their Country counterparts, Deana Cooper and Debbie Joblin, who improved their percentages from earlier games. Country also turned in its best performance of the tournament. The side is still not makine enough of its chances, however, and too many mistakes mar its play. Annette Blomquist, at goal keep, had an excellent match. The combination between her and her sister, Maxine Munro, at goal de-, fence, is as good as any defence pairing in the senior grade. Canterbury led by 20-13 at half-time. Canterbury’s second match was a walkover. The side posted its highest score

of the tournament, with Stokes and Sullivan scoring almost at will. The side, playing in its usual red and white uniform after changing to black shirts in the morning for its match against an identically coloured Country team, led 25-9 at half-time. Gibbs had a fine captain’s game at centre, ably supported by Suzanne Camp at wing defence. Both read the play well and were able to anticipate interceptions. The play was fast and flowing in Country’s match with Waikato in the afternoon. But the reigning champion gave Country little chance to get into the match, leading 20-7 at halftime. However, the Country players were not overawed and played their best team game yet. Country is a team with plenty of potential, which it has mot yet been able to realgp on the court. To

make sure of wins against lower-placed teams, notably Hawke’s Bay this afternoon, it has to eliminate the errors in its game. This morning Country will play Auckland. Canterbury will meet Southland, which yesterday did not repeat the form it showed against Waikato on Tuesday, and Wellington today. South Canterbury had two easy wins in the second grade to share the lead with Manawatu, Auckland subassociations and Wellington sub-associations. Counties and West Coast lead the third grade, and Te Kawau and West Auckland Districts head the fourth grade. Results:— First grade.—Auckland 51, South Waikato 25; Waikato 43, Hawke’s Bay 24; Canterbury 45, Canterbury Country 25; North Shore 27, Rotorua 29;

Otago 34, Southland 22; Wellington 51, Thames Valley 16; Wellington 43, Hawke’s Bay 21; Canterbury 55, Thames Valley 13; North Shore 39, Southland 14;. Otago 35, South Waikato 25; Auckland 42, Rotorua 27; Waikato 40, Canterbury Country 20. Lower grades (Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson and West Coast results only):— Second grade.—Nelson 29, Taranaki 28; South Canterbury 52, King Country 23; Manawatu 41, Nelson 29; South Canterbury 40, Waikato sub-unions 25. Third grade.—Wairarapa 29, South Canterbury Country 19; Ashburton 28, Matamata 24; West Coast 34, Matamata 23; Southland Country 33, Ashburton 27; South Canterbury Country 27, Otago Country 27. Fourth grade.—Temuka and Districts 40, Nelson Minors 24; Hokitika 43, Wairoa 31; Marlborough 27, Manawatu Minor 19; Horowhenua 44, Buller 23; Temuka and Districts 32, Manawatu Minors 22; Marlborough 30, Hawke’s Bay Minor 36; Buller 30, Wairoa 29; West Auckland Districts 32, Hokitika 26; Tekauau 43, Nelson Minors 18.