NETBALL
The clash between unbeaten teams Jo Kelly and Co Carterton Old Girls and Celtic should be the highlight of Wairarapa Premier One Netball, which resumes tonight after their King’s Birthday Weekend break.
The 2024 champions, Celtic have had only one game, a 48-34 victory over Ōpaki Vixens, while the Old Girls have had two convincing wins over the Vixens and Gladstone Tauweru.
Celtic probably deserve to start as favourites, although they will face an Old Girls side boasting several veteran players who are taking a more relaxed approach to their netball but could pose a threat to the more favoured teams.
Jo Kelly and Co Carterton Maroon should get their first win when they take on Gladstone Tauweru in the 7.30 pm game.
Last year’s beaten finalists, Wairarapa College, should be too good for Ōpaki Vixens in tomorrow’s 11am game.
FOOTBALL
Wairarapa United team member Holly Rausch believes their 5–0 loss to Victoria University Reserves wasn’t a true reflection of the game.
Rausch said despite the scoreline, it was probably the best the team has played in the first round of the Capital Football Women’s Division One Championship against a side boosted by some players dropping down from Victoria’s Central League team, which is two divisions higher.
United will complete the first round of the competition away to leaders Seatoun on Sunday.
LOCAL LEAGUE FOOTBALL
Division One side Douglas Villa Cam’s Flooring needed penalties to beat Masterton Ziggy’s Glass Presidents in the first round of the Wairarapa Knockout Cup. The scores were locked at 2–2 at fulltime, but Villa dominated the penalty shootout, winning 4–1.
Other first-division sides had comfortable wins. Featherston United Property Brokers thumped DV Mitre 10 Megabeens 12–1, DV Skulls were 11–4 victors over McAuley’s Masterton, Carterton Redbacks defeated Greytown Umbrella Group Spartans 4–1, and Greytown Tremains easily dispatched Douglas Villa Vets 6–1.
Featherston had a 3–0 victory over Martinborough, Greytown Property Brokers were 3–0 winners over Evergreens, and Greytown The Offering won by default from Masterton Lions.
In women’s matches, Wairarapa United Reserves and Carterton Royals fought out a 4-4 draw, and DV Mitre 10 Mega Geebeez put four unanswered goals past Greytown Gems.
