Developing side eventually hits straps

Southland's inexperienced Lois Muir Challenge netball side salvaged some pride in its final match of the opening weekend of games in Auckland yesterday with a 43-37 victory over Counties Manukau.

After first-up losses to North (45-50) and Bay of Plenty (36-46) on Saturday, Southland were in danger of heading back winless from the first weekend but they saved their best performance of the weekend for yesterday, and played well to knock over a physical Counties Manukau side.

Southland took out last year's Lois Muir Challenge title – winning every match in the competition – but have lost some big names from 2009 with skipper Dana Bond not playing and young-guns Ashleigh Smith and Hayley Crofts progressing up to the ANZ Championship ranks with the Canterbury Tactix. This season is expected to be more of a rebuilding year for the maroons as they look to blood some of their emerging talent, who have not played at Lois Muir level before.

Southland coach Dion Te Whetu used their first two matches to try to develop combinations and said by their match against Counties Manukau yesterday they were beginning to hit their straps.

Southern Steel wider training member Kendall McMinn and Kelly Henderson formed a strong partnership in the defensive circle for Southland at the weekend with Erin Aston also going well in the midcourt. Sarah Anderson and Morgan Hunter also teamed up nicely in the shooting circle against Counties-Manukau and shot well under pressure.

Te Whetu said he was happy with the development of the Southland side from each match to the next and said the team was quick to adjust to the different combinations that he tried.

Southland's opponents over the weekend all had a height advantage over them, and Te Whetu said the side struggled against the rugged North Island style of play.

"The North Island sides were really solid, physical and big. We've probably got the smallest team in the whole competition. They were really physical in the midcourt."

Southland are back in action on Sunday in Dunedin where they play Canterbury and Otago.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First