It was semifinals week for the TWHCNC Montana Catering secondary schools netball semi finals competition on Monday night.
The games between the top four teams in the A grade Prem lived up to expectations with some close scores and some skilled netball on display.
In the see-sawing game between Morrinsville College Open A and Waikato Diocesan Open A there was nothing in it.
Morrinsville got an initial lead of three goals at the end of the first quarter only to trail by a goal at half time after a strong quarter by Waikato Dio.
Morrinsville then had a big third quarter to take the lead by four goals. Waikato Dio then clawed their way back to be a goal behind at the final whistle. The final score was 38 goals to 37.
The coach of Morrinsville said that the team’s goal was to make a top four finish so making the final was an outstanding result for the young players.
Overall the team was strong defensively throughout the court which created opportunities.
This will be the first final in this competition for the small college. Waikato Dio had some nice phases of play and showed some good skills but their performance on the night was not enough.
In the other game, St Paul’s Collegiate Open A has a narrow two-goal lead at the end of the first quarter that they were able to maintain until half time.
Hamilton Girls' High School had a strong third quarter to draw level with St Paul’s.
St Paul’s then showed their resilience managing to take the lead and the win by two goals. The final score was 39 to 37.
The coach of St Paul’s felt it was a massive team effort overall with some patches of real brilliance. The coach of HGHS was overall pleased with the team’s performance noting that it was a young team who would continue to grow and develop over the next few years. The holistic view of the team was to develop the players in terms of leadership including being able to balance life, sport, culture and education.
Morrinsville College Open A and St Paul’s Collegiate Open A will play off in the final on Monday, June 13. This should be an amazing game and well worth a watch.
RESULTS
A Grade Prem
- Morrinsville College Open A 38 vs Waikato Diocesan Open A 37
- St Paul’s Collegiate Open A 39 vs HGHS Premier 37
- Hillcrest High Open A 45 vs SHGC Premier 28
- St Peter Open A 39 vs CHS Premier 28
B Grade Prem
- Huntly College Senior A 41 vs Tai Wananga Tuakana 32
- Otorohanga College A 47 vs TAC Open Premier 40
- Hamilton Girls' High Prem Reserves 64 vs NTW Open Team 22
- Fraser HS Premier 57 vs Te Aroha College Open A 45
