Waicol centre Leanna Malcolm getting a pass away against Carterton Red in the Premier One semi-finals on Saturday. PHOTOS/JADE CVETKOV
NETBALL
Semifinal 1: HARCOURTS 46 CELTIC 27
Semifinal 2: WAICOL 32 CARTERTON RED 28
CHRIS COGDALE
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Wairarapa College A have battled their way into the Premier One final where they will meet defending champions Harcourts on Saturday.
This will be Waicol’s first final since 2011 but for Harcourts, it will be their 10th straight.
Harcourts scored a commanding 46-27 semifinal victory over Celtic on Friday night.
Celtic had managed to keep the score close until halftime but the departure of their goal shoot Toni Hollow because of a cruciate ligament injury proved to be a decisive moment in the game.
Celtic coach Dayle Clarkson said the team did not have the depth at goal shoot and struggled to match it with Harcourts for the remainder of the game.
“There are no excuses. It’s the best I’ve seen Harcourts play all season. They were far and away the superior side.”
Waicol beat Carterton Red 38-28 in the other semifinal on Saturday.
The students started the stronger, scoring the first five goals, but Carterton fought back to even the scores at 9-9 by the end of the first quarter.
Waicol took a three-goal lead into halftime and then made their move in the third quarter to build a decisive lead.
Waicol coach Melissa Cullen said the game was closer than the score indicated.
“There was a lot of back and forth play and it never really felt like a 10-goal game.
“Carterton had done their homework on us and we became rattled defensively.
“But in the end, we showed good composure.
“We’re a young team. We only have two Year 13s, and we have two Year 10s and two Year 11s, so I’m really pleased for the girls,” Cullen said.
The final will be played at the Wairarapa Netball Centre on Saturday.
