Geraldine High show mettle

Last semifinal spot decided

Geraldine High School capped a stellar promotion to South Canterbury premier netball by grabbing the last semifinal spot thanks to a 31-25 must-win victory over Mackenzie Old Girls last night.

With Old Boys, Harlequins and Roncalli A all secure in the top four, it was left to Geraldine – who were promoted to the top flight midway through the season – to battle it out for the fourth spot with Mackenzie Old Girls and Craighead.

All three teams were locked on the same points heading into the last round.

The result means Geraldine will face top qualifiers Old Boys, who came from behind in the last quarter against Harlequins to keep their unbeaten record with a 29-25 triumph. Harlequins will battle Roncalli A in the other semifinal.

Roncalli A scrambled past Pleasant Point to round out their regular season.

Geraldine’s success was going to depend on whether they could build a lead early and make Mackenzie chase the game.

Mackenzie’s defence was typically resolute, with captain Cindy Robertson leading the way.

Geraldine relied on the experience of Rosie Tulisi in the shooting circle.

Mackenzie’s shooting was mediocre but they were winning the rebound battle at both ends of the court, which helped them stay level at 6-6 after the first quarter.

Geraldine were guilty of running away from the ball, which made them easy targets for intercepts.

The two teams went goal for goal throughout the second quarter as Mackenzie’s shooters found their stride, especially Stacey Grant.

Geraldine held a one-goal advantage at halftime and while they scored the first two goals after the break, they took low percentage shots at times.

Geraldine’s speed through court began to pay dividends and with Zoey Greenslade coming off the bench to grab some key turnovers, the lead grew to seven nearing the end of the third quarter.

The margin was never threatened in the last period, as Geraldine’s fitness showed through.

Craighead initially struggled against winless Roncalli B.

A flurry of sloppy errors helped to see them trail 9-7 after the first quarter.

Roncalli B defender Kate Shaw was at her best early while a lack of the basics hurt Craighead in the must-win situation.

Roncalli B looked set to spoil the script.

Craighead lifted the

defensive intensity, with goal keep Zara McLellen key to that success.

Roncalli B clung to a two-goal advantage at the last break.

While Craighead looked set several times to mount a challenge in the last 10 minutes, their mistakes cost them.

Roncalli B kept their composure to end Craighead’s defence of the title.

It was a less than convincing effort from Roncalli A against Pleasant Point.

In an odd game that lurched from one momentum swing to another, Roncalli A eventually got the better of the game in the final quarter.