Rata shades St Mary’s in final

HAYLEY Crofts says she is a Rata girl for life.

She was not about to give up an opportunity to take the court for her beloved club in the Invercargill Netball Centre Premier A final on Saturday.

The former Southern Sting, Steel, Central Pulse, and Mainland Tactix netballer shifted from Invercargill to Christchurch three weeks ago to take up a job with F45 Training as a trainer.

When the tenacious midcourter departed she made a pact with her teammates that she would return if Rata was to make the final.

On Saturday Crofts did just that, as she and her Rata teammates combined to blitz St Mary’s 5535 in the 2018 decider.

‘‘I played the whole season, so I couldn’t miss the final,’’ the 29yearold said.

Defender Kendall McMinn had been with the Southern Steel in Nelson at the Super Club competition but she, too, ensured she was back in Invercargill in time to help her Rata club out.

Many were predicting a tight contest on Saturday.

Just a couple of weeks ago, St Mary’s pipped Rata by one in the semifinals of the Southlandwide league.

St Mary’s also was defending champion. However, Rata was quick to make a statement in Saturday’s final when it raced out to a 157 lead after the first quarter.

The lead remained at eight at halftime, before Rata put the foot down to ensure there were no secondhalf hiccups.

Rata won the second half 3018 to lock in the commanding 5535 score.

‘‘It didn’t feel like as big of a gap as it was; it still felt like quite close the whole game,’’ Crofts said.

‘‘People did probably think it was going to be close, but we just had a really good start and led the whole way through. Its good to finally get a win because they’ve beaten us for the last few years.’’

It was the second final loss for St Mary’s in a matter of days: it lost the Southlandwide final to Gore club Ex High on Thurs day night.

St Mary’s did have something to celebrate on Saturday with two of its teams contesting the Invercargill Netball Centre Premier B final.

St Mary’s All Stars picked up a win over St Mary’s Kowhai.

PHOTO: LOGAN SAVORY Poised . . . Rata centre Hayley Crofts in action during the Invercargill Netball Centre final against St Mary’s at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill on Saturday. Rata won 5535.