Article © The Timaru Herald | Thursday, 17 July 2008

TOURNAMENT WINNERS: Opihi College junior development team who won the South Island Secondary Schools development netball tournament in Christchurch recently are, clockwise from bottom left: Lisa Frisby, Jacinda Ross-Goodman, Jessica Cuthill, Kataraina Hotene, Rachel Ellena, Waipounamu McNab, Saraya Hillegers, Alanna Doake, Haydn Downes, Melody Gould and Jennifer McIvor. [click photo to enlarge]

The Opihi College junior development team claimed the top prize at the recent South Island Secondary Schools development netball tournament held in Christchurch. The talented team met Menzies in the final, winning 32-25.

On the first day of the tournament Opihi met Greymouth in a closely contested error-ridden match and lost 14-11. Next up they played Otago Girls High School year 10 B team in a friendly match. A much-improved effort saw Opihi start well, down by only one at the end of the first quarter. Again the unforced errors crept into Opihi’s game and Otago Girls started to pull away being 20-12 up at halftime. Opihi kept working at their game before losing 40-17.

Tuesday saw Opihi now aware of the level required to compete at the tournament. They played Motueka first up, eliminating the errors from the first day’s play. The ball flowed through court and shooters Saraya Hillegers and Haydn Downes finished off. Opihi dominated possession throughout, winning 33-13.

Next up it was Hillmorton and, building on their previous game, Opihi dominated from the start to be ahead 25-11 at halftime. Substitutions were made at the interval and Opihi continued to build in confidence before winning 50-13.

These two wins, with a bonus point from their first game against Greymouth, saw Opihi qualify second in the pool behind Greymouth, placing Opihi in the top eight of the grade.

Playing for a semifinal spot, Opihi met Geraldine who had qualified first in their pool. The first quarter was even, Opihi 9-8 ahead at the first break. Determined Opihi lifted their game and dominated this quarter to be ahead 22-11 at halftime. Geraldine rallied to be only seven down at quarter time. Going into the last quarter Opihi showed great patience and discipline to finish strongly 38-27 ahead. This win placed Opihi in the top four.

The semifinal against Kaikoura saw Opihi continue to build on their previous day’s performance in an outstanding game of netball.  Opihi were 13-12 ahead at halftime. At threequarter time again only one goal separated the teams with Kaikoura ahead 20-19. The errors Opihi had been making on the first day had all but gone, capitalising on any possession they won, Opihi gradually pulled away and maintained their lead to win 29-24.

The Temuka team then met Menzies in the final.

Starting strongly Opihi led 10-4 at the break. In the second quarter Opihi lifted again, the ball flowing through court and the shooters again slotting their shots to be up 21-8 at halftime. Menzies, showing why they had made the final, came out firing. But Opihi adjusted to the pressure Menzies applied to be 26-18 ahead at threequarter time.

Again Menzies lifted their game but Opihi continued to work on their game patiently scoring regularly to win 32-25.

The Timaru Herald | Saturday, 12 July 2008

The South Canterbury under-19 netball is hoping to do something not achieved in a long time — finish in the top grade of the national tournament.

On Sunday the team heads to Hamilton for the five-day tournament after their best build-up in years. Since they first got together in late May the team has travelled to tournaments in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Coach Barry Tucker said he believed the side was capable of a mid-table finish in the first grade. That would be a great achievement as we haven’t cracked the first grade in many, many years. Sixteen teams are attending the nationals, with the top eight through to the first grade.

“Last year South Canterbury finished sixth in the second grade so we are confident of improving,” Tucker said. Also helping is the fact there is plenty of experience with six of last year’s team returning in the 11-strong squad. Tucker believed the team was a very good one with tough competition for places. “It will be hard to pick a starting line up.”

The side’s stand-out player is goal keep Bryar Mackenzie, a dynamic defensive player.

Captain and centre Sophie Mulcahy is a very good feeder of the ball and outstanding leader while vice captain Kelsi Patterson is a great mover around the circle and a top shooter. Charlotte Dyer is delivering the goods in the attacking circle and returning a very high percentage of shots on goal. Goal shoot Jamie Robinson is also getting stronger with every outing and also has a very good shooting percentage.

The midcourt is boosted by Julie Cambell, who has great speed and elevation while Sarah Hewson works quietly away and always gets the job done. At wing defence Bridget Simpson manages to keep her opponents out of the game and plays a very very tight game.

Around the defensive circle Louise Seyb is a deceptive mover and often comes up with the ball while Dale Paleaae has excellent elevation and outstanding ball skills. The experienced Leanne Clemens has been to the tournament twice before and can play at either end of the court, which is a huge advantage.

Tucker said Mackenzie especially had really stepped up over the past few weeks and was beginning to shine.

Gill Handy will manage the team while Donna Hardy is responsible for primary care.