Netball Finals Week

LION FOUNDATION NETBALL CHAMPS
Finals Week 2011
30.09.2011
DAY THREE RESULTS – CANTERBURY WIN LION FOUNDATION NETBALL CHAMPS 2011
ATTACHED: SHOOTING STATISTICS

FINAL PLACINGS, RESULTS DAY THREE, TOURNAMENT SELECTION AND MATCH REVIEWS (WITH QUOTES)

FINAL PLACINGS
1st Division
1st: Canterbury
2nd: Otago
3rd: Bay of Plenty Gold
4th: Pak'n Save Wellington
5th: Chop Chop Auckland Waitakere (played off in Promotion/Relegation against Western and won)
6th: Ascot Park Hotel Southland (Will play in Division 2 in 2012 due to their loss against Waikato)
2nd Division
1st: Trust Waikato (Will play in Division 1 in 2012 due to their win against Southland)
2nd: Western (played off in Promotion/Relegation against Auckland Waitakere and lost)
3rd: North
4th: PIC Insurance Brokers Counties Manukau
5th: Air NZ Tasman
6th: Plus Rehab Eastern
RESULTS DAY 3

Date Time Division Team 1 Score Team 2 Score
Fri 30 Sep 9.30am 2 (3rd and 4th) North 69 vs Counties Manukau 42
Fri 30 Sep 9.30am 2 (5th and 6th) Eastern 28 vs Tasman 64
Fri 30 Sep 11.15am 1 and 2 (Promotion/Relegation) Auckland Waitakere 52 vs Western 48
Fri 30 Sep 1.00pm 1 (3rd and 4th) Bay of Plenty 53 vs Wellington 42
Fri 30 Sep 2.45pm 1 and 2 (Promotion/Relegation) Southland 38 vs Waikato 52
Fri 30 Sep 4.30pm 1 (First Grade Final 1st/2nd) Canterbury 63 vs Otago 59

TOURNAMENT SELECTION

Anna Galvan Canterbury
Charlotte Kight Canterbury
Portia Woodman Auckland Waitakere
Maree Bowden Canterbury
Sophia Fenwick Canterbury
Shannon Francois Otago
Te Paea Selby-Rickit Otago
Louise Thayer Otago
Keshia Grant Waikato
Arahi Wall Bay of Plenty
Jessica Tuki Waikato


DAY THREE MATCH REVIEWS

Canterbury secure back-to-back titles

Canterbury repelled a spirited Otago challenge 63-59 to successfully defend their title in the final of the Lion Foundation Netball Championships at Te Rauparaha Arena, in Porirua today.

A perfect shooting return from Jodi Brown could not swing the match Otago’s way, the Canterbury goalers not enjoying the same accuracy but more opportunities through a greater share of the possession.

In a tight and feisty opening, Otago did a fine job of stalling Canterbury’s fast flowing attack line while at the other end, the wily veteran Brown was an influential presence in creating the play towards key weapon, 1.87m goalshoot Te Paea Selby-Rickit.

Canterbury maintained a slight edge as they headed into the first break with a 17-15 advantage before flexing their considerable heavyweight status on the resumption. Lifting the tempo, the experienced Canterbury line-up moved up a gear as they looked to stamp their authority on the match.

Shooters Sophia Fenwick and Ellen Halpenny assumed control of the Canterbury circle, receiving a slick service of quality ball while delivering the finishing touches as they helped stretch the lead.

Otago’s attacking line became bogged down against the blanket-like defensive screen applied by Canterbury as menacing defenders Anna Galvan and Charlotte Kight popped out time and again for clean intercept ball.

With Otago’s shooters starved of ball, Canterbury cruised out to an 11-goal advantage before the blue and golds regained the momentum with a strong finish to the stanza. Repairing some of the earlier damage, Otago whittled back the deficit as Canterbury headed into halftime looking over their shoulder at 33-28.

Otago threw everything into the opening minutes of the second half, drawing to within three before Canterbury injected another strong surge to remain in charge. A similar pattern ensued through the remainder of the quarter, replacement Canterbury goal attack Gemma Hazledine showing no fear in going to the post as the defending champions held a 48-42 advantage heading down the home straight.

Momentum continued to swing through a thrilling final stanza, Otago several times creeping to within three goals but never able to bridge the final gap, thanks to a determined and resilient Canterbury.

``It’s a massive feeling and words probably can’t describe it. It feels good, we’ve had a torrid year in Canterbury so there’s a lot of emotion so I’m sure there will be a celebration of sorts,’’ a teary-eyed captain Anna Galvan said.

``Otago gave us a great run for our money. We knew they were tenacious and would keep coming at us so we really had to nail our goals and use the possession that we had.
``It was a high-scoring game which meant the attackers at both ends were really accurate and at the end of the day, it was going to be who could nail the most turnovers.’’

Trust Waikato v Ascot Park Hotel Southland
There was a changing of the guard for Division one next year with a resurgent Waikato making the jump at the expense of Southland following a comprehensive 52-38 win today.

Languishing in Division 2 for the last two years, Waikato excelled across the court against the southerners, who make the drop after winning the just three years ago. The young Waikato team, the oldest being just 24, make a return to the top level with their real potential yet to be seen.

Auckland Waitakere retained their place in the top echelon, staving off a spirited challenge from Western 52-48 in the other promotion/relegation clash.

Waikato virtually put their seal on the match with a blockbusting second quarter, delivering a classy 15 minutes of netball with 16 goals to Southland’s six to be in the driver’s seat 32-19 at the main break.

The introduction of Tori Peeters at centre and Morgan Hunter at goal attack added some spark to Southland’s second half challenge where they mounted a mini comeback to win the third quarter by three goals.

However, Waikato were quick to douse any threat of an upset, the lively contribution of centre Elias Shadrock being pivotal for Waikato. She was well supported by the tall target of Elsa Brown under the hoop and nifty goal attack Jessie Waitapu, who shone in the playmaking role. The versatile Jess Tuki was a tower of strength throughout as she continued to make it a hard day at the office for the Southland shooters, winning a bevy of turnover ball for her team.

``Bridesmaids last year, bride this year…..it’s fantastic,’’ Waikato coach Karen Henrikson said.

``The girls have taken a step up every game and just put it together…..that second quarter was just fantastic, Elias Shadrock was on fire. It was really good team work and they deserve it.’’

Bay of Plenty v Pak’nSave Wellington

Bay of Plenty capped their elevation to Division one this season with a well-constructed 53-42 win over Wellington to seal third spot. It was their first-ever win over the team from the Capital at national championships.

Trailing by one at the halftime break, a storming second half set Bay of Plenty on their winning way. Precision on attack, where centre Halana Leith was in the thick of action, and a fine finishing from shooters Harley Smith and Arahi Wall propelled Bay of Plenty into the lead which continued to grow as the match progressed.

The shorter Wellington shooters had trouble with their accuracy and the rampant Bay of Plenty defensive line where captain Jodi Tod excelled in tandem with a fine effort from Ursula Prtichard. A punishing scoring spree pushed Bay of Plenty out to a six-goal margin and despite a lift in intensity from Wellington they could not break the shackles.

Bay of Plenty withstood the Wellington barrage with cool calm, executing with purpose and composure to put the stamp on their most successful result for many years.

``That was a huge finish,’’ Tod said. ``To come up from second division last year and pull out a game like that, I’m so proud.’’

``There was lots of heart out there. We knew it was going to take 60 minutes and we just had to do all the ground work first and then we could enjoy it.’’

Chop Chop Auckland Waitakere v Western

Auckland Waitakere continued their winning streak at Finals to retain Division one status for next year, nailing their third and most important win as many days in their promotion/relegation decider against Western.

A tight and absorbing opening ended in a 17-all stalemate at the end of the first quarter before a decisive second stanza gave Auckland Waitakere the impetus for the rest of the match.

Taking a three-goal lead into the third quarter Auckland Waitakere looked to take the game out of reach as they extended further for a handy lead. Willowy goalshoot Bailey Mes proved a pivotal target under the hoop, thriving on the extra turnover ball provided by Western turnovers.

However, Western could not be shaken as they made a concerted last quarter surge. Narrowing the gap to just one early on, the teams went goal-for-goal heading down the home straight with Auckland Waitakere maintaining a slim one-goal buffer.

Blowing a number of opportunities with a rash of errors spelt the end of Western’s spirited challenge, Auckland building enough of a cushion to see them safely home.
``We’re absolutely stoked,’’ an ecstatic Auckland Waitakere captain Rachel Rasmussen said afterwards.

``This was the game that was important and at the end of the day we were able to take it…….so, yeah, very happy with the win.

``I’ve played for 11 years now and Auckland Waitakere have never been in this situation so I’m just so proud of the girls and it was very important to retain that top six position.
``This is a new experience for a lot of these young girls and they showed their worth today.’’

North v PIC Insurance Brokers Counties Manukau

Getting out to a big first half lead ensured North prevailed 69-42 over Counties Manukau to secure third spot in Division two. Counties Manukau were left to rue their slow start when competing on even terms with North in the second, the gap proving insurmountable.

Shooter Rosalie Allison, with an excellent 41 goals from 46 attempts, and centre Jenny-May Coffin, the veteran picking up four intercepts, played strong hands for North.

Air NZ Tasman v Plus Rehab Eastern

Tasman handed the winless Eastern another heavy loss, taking the match 64-28 on the back of a huge possession count as their lead grew throughout. The result sealed fifth spot in Division two for Tasman

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