Blowout wins as top sides set the pace
The first round of the seeded draw gave rise to large scorelines in Christchurch premier netball on Tuesday night.
Kereru played Halswell in the opening game and stamped their dominance in the opening minutes. Jennifer Naoupu at goal keep and then Kayla Williams took intercepts off Halswell’s first two attempts to get the ball to their shooters.
Naoupu and Williams continued their dominance throughout the match. Halswell rallied in the second half, but they were not able to close the margin on the scoreboard with Kereru comfortable 72-30 victors.
It was a similar story in the match between Technical and Saints. Technical’s speed through the midcourt with players seeming to come from nowhere to catch passes placed into space was the key to their win.
When Saints were able to maintain movement in their shooting circle they were able to wrong foot the Technical defence getting the ball into the circle with ease.
Although Technical ran away with the first quarter, Saints’ effort in the second quarter showed they are capable of footing it with the top team, only losing 16-12.
Too many wayward passes through the game hampered Saints efforts to keep in touch as Technical ran away to a an easy 66–28 win.
Lincoln had a great first half amassing an overwhelming lead over St Nicholas A, outscoring them by 11 goals in each of the first two quarters in their 76-43 win.
Tactix goal shoot Ellie Bird shouldered most of the shooting responsibility with 20 attempts in each of the first two quarters, achieving 100 per cent in the second.
Lincoln were unable to maintain their form as St Nicholas came back strongly in the second half only winning by one in the third quarter and drawing the last.
Olivia Coughlan moved to goal defence and the introduction of Leigh Hurford at goal keep made a difference in the amount of ball Bird received.