Harcourts, blue, and Carterton, red, are two of the favoured teams for the premier one championship. PHOTO/FILE
NETBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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Martinborough are embracing the challenge of playing in the premier one championship for the first time in the club’s history.
Marty Masters earned promotion to the top division after going unbeaten through the first round of the premier two competition. They replace St Matthew’s Collegiate, who were relegated after failing to win a game in the first round of premier one.
Coach Michael Seymour, who was roped into coaching the team last year by his partner and team member Jade Kiel, said the team’s expectation was to compete well in every game.
‘We are going to go out hard in every game and play to the best of our ability, but we are aware of how difficult it will be,” he said.
One of the biggest challenges facing Marty Masters will be the length of the games, which are played over 60 minutes, rather than the 40 minutes in premier two.
“It will be a bit of a jump in skill level and fitness because they’re longer games, but it’s a great opportunity and the girls are looking forward to it.”
The team contain several club stalwarts and newcomers – Alisha Hovell, Summer Priest, Eryn Sinclair, Jayde Clark, and Joanna Saba – who Seymour said have been a massive boost to the team and the club.
Marty Masters jump into the deep end at 6pm tonight with their first game against the experienced Celtic.
In tonight’s second game at 7.30pm, last year’s runners-up Jo Kelly and Co Carterton Maroon should be too good for Greytown Holmes Construction, who struggled in the first round, winning only one game against St Matt’s. Carterton easily won their first-round encounter 46-18.
The game of the round will be tomorrow morning’s clash between defending champions Harcourts and the talented Wairarapa College.
The students upset Harcourts 53-45 in the first round and can expect a backlash from the competition heavyweights.
With only five games to determine the semifinal spots, all teams will be looking for the early advantage in the compressed championship.
