St Nicholas repels Rata

Press, 23 July 1987, Page 48

St Nicholas repels Rata

By

DIANNA LESLIE

St Nicholas, lacking its usual well rehearsed momentum, looked threatened in the early stages of its first Swiss Maid netball league challenge-relega-tion match, against Rata, a Southland team, at the Hagley courts yesterday. But the home side prevailed against its feverish opposition to snatch the win, 54-45. "We hesitated in the beginning and did not let the ball flow as we usually do,” said Mrs Pat Carrick, the St Nicholas coach. St Nicholas was lethargic and apparently unnerved by its fired opposi-

tion in the first quarter. Rata subsequently made quick inroads on its attack line-up, which was uncharacteristically shaken. Ann Davidson and April leremia, the St Nicholas shooters, struggled to get tentative fingers to the ball. By comparison, Janice McClelland, the Rata goalshoot, and one of the five Southland players in her team, looked magnificent in the goal circle to take and hold the ball well, shooting with professional ease. She enjoyed an 85 per cent success rate. St Nicholas settled to Its task at the end of the first quarter, and although pressured by the South-

landers at this stage, held a 14-12 advantage. In the second quarter, Annette Heffernan, the St Nicholas goal defence and New Zealand player, aggravated an old knee injury, and took time to strap her leg. Heffernan, the stalwart of the St Nicholas defence, elected to play on and completed some Stirling work throughout the clash. Her injury gave Mrs Carrick a chance to offer advice to her team. Moire Gerkin, the Rata goal-keep, wrested commanding interceptions from Davidson and leremia, and was in insatiable form, but St Nicholas began to find its pace

and widened the margin to 28-21 at half-time. St Nicholas regained some of its composure after the break and was resolute for the rest of the encounter. Rata shuddered under the concerted St Nicholas effort and fought grimly from behind for the rest of the game. Angela Pule, the St Nicholas wing defence, was impulsive in the first half, but regained her control after the break, and delivered several long, driving passes to break Rata’s zonal defence, allowing Davidson some relatively simple shots under her goal.