Netballers in exciting draw

Press, 21 July 1986, Page 22

Netballers in exciting draw

In an exciting finish, North Shore and Canterbury finished level, 59-59, in a representative netball match at the Hagley courts yesterday. Canterbury’s opportunities for pre-New Zealand tournament warm-up matches against stronger North Island teams are rare. Therefore, this match offered a good chance for Canterbury to test its new combination and show its strength before the national tournament next month.

The North Shore team characteristically has a different style of play to the South Island teams Canterbury usually encounters in representative games. It plays a harder game, where the passing is faster Canterbury began well and held North Shore until halftime. North Shore made several changes to its line-up in the break, which Canterbury had some difficulty adjusting to in the early stages of the third quarter. North Shore went ahead by three goals near the finish, but Canterbury fought back to level right at the end. It was a dramatic ending to such a high-class match, as both teams vied for the lead with only seconds remaining. At 59-all, Canterbury had possession, but was stopped by the final whistle.

Seven other representative matches were played yesterday between North Shore, Wellington, Canterbury and Canterbury Country teams.

As well, a junior town and country tounament was played, which was won by Lincoln.

Representative fixture results: Canterbury Country 52, North Shore Under-20 48; North Shore 68, Canterbury Under-20 35; Canterbury Under-18 58, Wellington Under-16 12; Wellington B 34, Canterbury Country 34; Canterbury Under-16 35, Wellington Under-16 24; Canterbury 59, North Shore 59; Canterbury Under-20 53, North Shore Under-20 45; Canterbury B 59, Wellington B 50. Junior town and country results: Canterbury Under-15 26, Hurunui 8; Malvern 16, Ellesmere 14; Lincon 13, North Canterbury 11; Canterbury Under-15 20, Malvern 5; North Canterbury 27, Hurunui 5; Lincoln 18, Ellesmere 9; Melvern 21, Hurunui 9; North Canterbury 14, Malvern II; Lincoln 11, Canterbury Under-15 10; Lincoln 13, North Canterbury 11; Canterbury Under-15 22, Ellesmere 6; North Canterbury 23, Ellesmere 18; Lincoln 19, Hurunui 6; Canterbury Under-15 27, North Canterbury 10; Ellesmere 15, Hurunui 10; Lincoln 13, Malvern 13.