Four in fight to join Kaiapoi in playoffs
Four teams are still in the running for the remaining three semi-final berths in North Canterbury Premier Netball.
Defending champions Kaiapoi remain the team to beat after a 64-51 win over Greenpark to be unbeaten after six rounds.
The Selwyn-based Greenpark held an 18-17 lead at the first break before Kaiapoi took control to be up 34-26 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Greenpark closed the gap to 42-44 only to see another strong surge from Kaiapoi in the fourth quarter seal the win.
That leaves Kaiapoi as the only team locked in for the semi-finals.
Two points separate four teams – Greenpark, Hurunui, Halswell RL and Clarkville.
Hurunui led from start to finish to beat Ohoka 66-53 to sit third, but still need to beat Halswell RL to ensure a semi-final.
Halswell RL claimed a crucial 54-44 win over Clarkville to remain in playoff contention.
The scores were tied at 13-all after the first quarter before Clarkville pulled ahead at halftime 30-24.
Halswell closed the gap to trail 41-42 heading into the final quarter and carried the momentum to win by 11, holding Clarkville to just three goals in the fourth quarter.
Coming off losses, Clarkville and Greenpark clash in what is a quarter-final in round seven.
In the other round six match, Rangiora HS fought back from being down 20-24 at halftime to beat Prebbleton 49-45.
In Saturday’s Premier 2, Kaiapoi HS beat Oxford 56-47 in the top of the table clash. RHS 2 edged Amberley 45-44 and Ashley outclassed Ohoka 42-27.
Meanwhile, Hurunui Netball was in Hawarden for the fourth week of round two.
Cheviot A continued where they left off with a 48-19 win over Culverden B.
Culverden A had a convincing 59-18 win over Cheviot B while Glenmark A beat Culverden Social 30-25.
This weekend’s round is in Waiau to end the round robin.
On Sunday, the two associations clashed in the annual Shadbolt Rosebowl.
A big third quarter led North Canterbury to a 74-56 win over Hurunui. It was a tight first half, with Hurunui up one at the end of the first quarter (20-19) but North Canterbury held a 35-43 lead at halftime.
North Canterbury took command in the third quarter moving to a 10 goal lead at 54-44 and cruised to the win.
In the curtain raiser between the top two primary sides for the Junior Rosebowl, Fernside finished strong to beat Hawarden 31-27.