Western's tier-one status in jeopardy

Winless and in serious doubt of retaining their tier-one status, Western head to Invercargill today knowing they have to pull something out of the bag.

Western meet North tomorrow and will play them again, or Otago, on Friday, to decide who finishes sixth. Otago meet Canterbury tomorrow and if they lose, they'll finish fifth.

If Western are banished to sixth, their top-tier life in division one will be on the line against a Wellington side containing three Central Pulse players.

The women from the capital are unbeaten in the second level of division one and would pose a stern challenge for Western.

There were injury concerns in the Western camp after Saturday's 53-44 loss to Auckland-Waitakere with Jodi Beaumont, Kylee Webb and Amber Bellringer all nursing knocks.

Western didn't train this week and coach Annette Pearce said it was to allow the team time to heal.

"I just thought it was best that we gave them a bit of R and R."

Pearce said tomorrow's game against North, who will have former international Vilimaina Davu at goal keep, was vital to boost their confidence.

"There's been some interesting results that came in over the weekend ... that game tomorrow will be crucial for both teams," she said. "We just need to make sure we go stronger into the ball.

"North will be a very physical side from what I've heard, so we just have to make sure we are very clinical with our court play."

If Western were to finish sixth and meet Wellington, Pearce said they had no reason to fear them.

"Meeting Wellington would be no different to any other team," she said. "It would be a shame for Wellington and Western to meet each other because they both make up the Pulse region."

Western shooter Chantelle Ngaia is shooting at 90 per cent accuracy through the round robin and is only bettered by Auckland-Waitakere's Cathrine Latu who shoots at 93 per cent.

If mid-courters Webb and Sam Durie-Aranga can give Ngaia and Bellringer good service in the circle they should be competitive this week. Beaumont has been impressive on defence all season and Pearce will be hoping she recovers in time to line up at goal keep.

Western (from): Samantha Burkhart, Chrisy Longstaff, Jodi Hikuroa, Kylee Webb (co-capt), Abby Hull, Sam Durie-Aranga, Chantelle Ngaia, Jodi Beaumont, Amber Bellringer, Lauren Burgess (co-capt), Te Paea Selby-Rickit.

North (from): Ritua Aliivaa, Carli Botes, Vilimaina Davu, Sally Greenwood, Emma Iversen, Courtney Mita, Jenna Murie, Finau Pulu, Jess Quinn, Krystle Rosandich, Charmaine Smith, Brigette Tapene.

- © Fairfax NZ News