The Aoraki Secondary Schools Netball Championships proved that netball is exceptionally strong locally with coaches preparing their teams well. Greater fluidity and speed of the ball in transfer, strong defensive screens and general court craft along with superb anticipation to position for the pass were all evident in a number of intensive Senior A Grade fixtures through out the day. It augers well with the South Island S.S. Netball Champs being hosted here in Timaru in early September.

Although both finalists, who are undergoing a rebuilding phase are not yet up to their usual standards the general level of play was of a higher standard than previous years.

Opihi College enjoyed a meritorious victory in causing the biggest upset of the day when prevailing in a tight and tense encounter against a highly fancied Waitaki Girls 15 – 14.

Defending champions Craighead Diocesan were forced to fight every inch of the way to repel a valiant Mt Hutt College team who grew into the game after an explosive opening quarter by Craighead to take the lead (16-15) on the back of a very strong third quarter. Craighead regained control only in the final moments when a brace of goals saw them greatly relieved at the final whistle with them 21-19 ahead. The turning point coming from a brilliant Nicola Mackle (GA) intercept. Dana Mulcahy (GD) also shone in shutting down Mt Hutt’s very talented pairing in the circle. Undefeated, the defending Champions qualified straight to the final.

Opihi College’s earlier upset rather deflated the Waitaki girl’s spirit, who were absolutely no match for a very slick Geraldine High School who comfortably disposed of them in a classy performance 31 – 13. This earned Geraldine a finals berth and set up a rematch of the previous years final.

What a final it turned out to be. Two exceptionally well prepared teams in every facet of the game matched each other goal for goal as the scores reflected. Craighead lead 6-5 after the first quarter then Geraldine clawed one back to be level 9-9 at the half and but for a rimmed out last second goal trailed 15-16 at three quarter time. In a frenetic final quarter Craighead remained calm, focussed with little to no unforced and or basic errors. Courtesy of a couple of turnovers from excellent rebounds back to back goals resulted to give Craighead Diocesan the spoils 24 – 19.

Captain Emily Mcfarlane lead well through out in both attack and defence She was brilliantly served by both Nicola Mackle in the circle and Dana Mulcahy in defence.

It was great to see Julie Campbell (GK) back after a serious injury where she looked close to her best form. Campbell excelled with a couple of stunning intercepts to help keep Geraldine in the game. Perhaps the real eye catching performance came from the Geraldine Yr 9 Harriet Robb at goal shoot. She dodged superbly well in the circle (GS) and rose to secure the lobbed ball like a much more seasoned player. Kelsie Patterson (GA) also lead her team well through out and was in constant touch with the young Robb.

Should Geraldine eliminate their greater tendency to commit basic errors and compliment this aspect of their game by asserting more pressure then this Saturday’s Club match with Craighead has the potential to be a real stunner. (Anticipated start time 12.30)

Mountainview High School and Opihi College proved that netball is in good hands in their respective schools with both showing huge improvements in the development of their game.

In the B Grade final defending champions Craighead Diocesan began well and played the more consistent netball to deservedly lead into the first three breaks 7-4, 13–10 and 17-14. However the Roncalli girls responded to the calm confident urgings of Coach Martina O’Toole to rattle Craighead and establish a self belief to take control in the best possible fashion. Roncalli outscored Craighead 5 -1 in the tense final quarter to clinch the title 19-18 in an absolute thriller. The turnaround came courtesy of a couple of very timely intercepts firstly by Keryn Ward (WA) and the last by Jess Stray (C) to swing the momentum swung Roncalli’s way. They kept cool heads and retained firm control to come from behind and upset the more highly graded very talented Craighead team. “Ronca”, the rhino mascot celebrated with a couple of cartwheels before being enveloped by the very jubilant Roncalli College girls and supporters.

2009 NETBALL RESULTS

POOL A:     CRAI bt MTHT  21-19; bt MTVW 31-05

                        MTHT l CRAI    19-21  bt MTVW 18-16

POOL B:     GERA bt WTKG 31-13, bt TGHS 28-12, bt OPHI 27-16

                        WTKG ls GERA 13-31; bt TGHS 15-11  ls OPHI 14-15

                        TGHS ls GERA 12-28, ls WTKG 11-15, bt OPHI 21-19

                        OPHI ls  GERA 16-27 bt WTKG 15-14,  ls TGHS 19-21

POOL C:     CRAI B bt WMTE 29-06, OPHI B 35-09

                        WMTE  bt OPHI B 19-16  ls CRAI B 06-29

                        OPHI B ls CRAI B 09-35,  ls WMTE  16-19

POOL D:     RONC bt MACK 22-14  bt ASHB 22-14

ASHB  ls RONC 11-22,  bt MACK 20-07

MACK ls ASHB 07-20,  ls RONC 14-22

POOL E:      WTKG B bt MTHT 28-10,   bt  MTVW B 21-05

MTHT B ls WTKG B 10-28, bt MTVW B 21-05

MTVW B ls MTHT B 05-21,  ls WTKG B 05 32

A GRADE MINORS:

                        MTHT bt OPHI 24-15, WTKG bt MTVW 27-11

B GRADE MINORS:

                        RONC bt WTKG  22-12; ASHB bt MTHT  24-09

                        MACK bt WMTE 15-07, OPHI  bt MTVW 17-12

FAIRPLAY TEAMS: MTHT both A & B grades

B FINAL:     RONC bt CRAI 19-18

A FINAL:     CRAI bt GERA 24-19