Old Boys put on an impressive showing
Harlequins remain the only unbeaten team after five rounds of the Netball South Canterbury premier competition.
Old Boys knocked over Pleasant Point in the most impressive performance of the round, with a stunning 44-27 triumph.
It was anything but the tight clashes the teams had in 2016, with the defending champions shining from the start.
Superb shooting from Lindsay Welch and Cecelia Wacokecoke helped Old Boys romp home.
They forced Point into uncharacteristic mistakes, in their best performance of the season.
After leading by five at quarter time, Old Boys had doubled it by halftime.
It was superb team performance allround the court from the blue-and-whites, while Point’s best were Erin Bates and Lucy Stephens.
Harlequins continued their impressive start to the 2017 season, accounting for 2016 finalists Mackenzie in impressive fashion 32-22.
Harlies had an eight goal buffer at halftime, one they never relinquished.
Mackenzie, who suffered hteir first loss, fought hard all match but are yet to discover last season’s form, which took them to the final.
The Harlequins midcourt of Macie Austin, Kayla Frew and Courtney Harper were superb, getting the ball to Chloe Austin and Pip Oliver at speed.
Cindy Robertson and Aleisha Chitty tried to stop the Harlies shooters but lacked support throughout the court.
Craighead Diocesan scored a confidence boosting 35-29 win over Geraldine High School.
It was their first win of the season, while Geraldine remain winless.
The victory was built around some sharp shooting from Kate Harvey and Mary Yeatman, while the defensive end of Georgia Smith and Issy McLeay made life difficult for the Geraldine shooters.
Apart from three early Geraldine goals, Craighead led for the rest of the clash.
Craighead won the opening quarter 9-6 and backed it up with 11 goals to lead at halftime, 20-13.
Geraldine refused to give up and won the third period eight goals to seven.
Craighead’s best were Harvey and Smith, while Taylah Marr in the wing attack bib, added plenty to Craighead’s feeding into the circle.
Geraldine’s strongest were Lucy Harrison in midcourt, while Milly Autridge shot with confidence in the circle.
Both teams showed promise and will be looking to cause an upset or two in the next few weeks.
Pareora under the tutelage of Julie Pateman, who is also manager for Timaru Girls’ High School their opponents, cruised to a con- vincing 38-26 victory.
They dominated the opening quarter 13-5 and carried that momentum on throughout the clash.
Girls’ High fought back in the second quarter losing it by one, nine goals to eight.
Katelyn MIllar excelled in the shooting circle for Pareora, while Hollie McLaughlan and McNicol had strong games.
Cheynese King and Alanah Ward were the two best on display for Timaru Girls’ High. Nicole