Oasis can’t hold leaders

Netball

Synergy scored yet another win in the last round of the Canterbury & District League before Christmas, writes Lily Thompson.

The Division 1 leaders triumphed 55-31 over Oasis, pulling ahead after a close start, thanks to their Best Attack Karen Mannering and strong defensive duo Jayne Conroy (Best Defence) and Lou Furnival (Star Player).

Oasis’s Karen Day (Star Player) did well in the D to slow the fast attack of the leaders.

Synergy are setting the bar high with their excellent performances; will they protect their title for another year? Academy Red and Companion Care produced a tight match.

Academy went into the second half 14 goals down and made an excellent effort to close the gap, however Companion Care edged the victory 48-44. Academy’s Milly Prestleton earned Best Defence and Rebecca Reynolds was Star Player.

Zoe James (Star Player) and Justine Newton (Best Attack) played well to secure Companion Care’s triumph in the last quarter.

Other matches in Division 1 saw J&L scrape a win in the final quarter against Canterbury (53-50).

Due to injury, Pilgrims Red’s match against Unicorns was conceded at halftime, by which the score was 20-5 in favour of Pilgrims. Canterbury earned two points for their score.

In Division 2, Black Jacks beat Alpha by a solid 54 goals to Alpha’s 31. Estelle Brandreth (Alpha) displayed her excellent shooting skills again this week, earning herself Star Player.

Black Jacks also achieved Star Player (Lauren Diamond), Best Attack (Alex Davitt) and Best Defence (Sophie Cunningham).

Wahl and Pilgrims Open played an extremely tense match, Wahl stealing the win at the final whistle after narrowly trailing in each quarter.

Sue Cathcart got Star Player for Wahl for her stamina and speed throughout the game.

Pilgrims were a constant threat, achieving Best Defence (Emma Spanton), Star Player (Olivia Brooks) and Best Attack (Maddie Hull). The final score was 34-33.

Other matches saw Bluebirds win against UKC, 32-20.

Back To’s saw off Academy White, leading throughout the match to emerge triumphant 44-23.

Both UKC and Academy White earned a point for their scores.

The CDNL returns after Christmas – for now the teams have a well-earned rest!