Greytown’s Kaye Slater [GD] looks to pass under pressure from Harcourts’ Hope Phillips. PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV
NETBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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Only two points separate the top four in Premier One competition, with close scores the highlight of the three games played on Friday night.
The two unbeaten teams – Celtic and Wairarapa College A – met in the feature match, and it was Celtic who prevailed 50-45 in a quick, clinical game.
Celtic had to call on all their experience to quell the enthusiastic and well-drilled Waicol side.
After taking an early lead, Celtic steadily built on that for a five-goal advantage at quarter time. They maintained a similar margin throughout the match for a hard-fought victory.
Carterton Red were given a fright by Gladstone Heat before winning with a three-goal margin.
Gladstone had the better of the first half, taking a 23-19 lead into the interval.
Carterton Red lifted their game in the third quarter for a 31-28 lead after 45 minutes.
The margin remained at three goals throughout a tight defensive fourth quarter, with Carterton Red prevailing 38-35.
The win moves Carterton Red to fifth, three points shy of the top four.
Carterton Legends had to work hard to get the better of St Matthew’s A and take a 48-46 win.
The scores were tied at 11-11 at the end of the first quarter, before Legends pulled away for a 23-18 lead at halftime.
St Matthew’s fought back and narrowed the gap to one goal, 32-33, at halftime.
The last 15 minutes was to-and-fro, with Legends doing enough to bag the three points.
In the only game played on Saturday, Harcourts flexed their muscles with a 56-25 demolition of Greytown Holmes Construction.
Despite the scoreline, Harcourts’ coach Geraldine Carroll said it was closer than it suggested.
“Greytown are good – they’re really good. It was a hard win.”
For Carroll, the win is a step in the right direction.
“We’re slowly building, we’ve got a few new players, and we’re doing okay.”
Defender Sarah Watson [nee Brooking] has returned after three years away from netball, while goal shoot Wiki Toria-Davidson and midcourt player Eleina Mitchell are other new players in the squad.
Carroll was keen to play down Harcourts’ favouritism tag.
“We’ve already lost one game [to Celtic in the first round] but hopefully we’ll get better and better.”
Scores
Celtic 50 Wairarapa College A 45; Carterton Red 38 Gladstone Heat 35; Harcourts 56 Greytown Holmes Construction 25; Carterton Legends 48-46.
Standings
Celtic 12, Harcourts 10, Wairarapa College A 10, Carterton Legends 10, Carterton Red 7, Greytown Holmes 4, St Matthew’s A 2, Gladstone Heat 1.
