Pre-season innovation 'a winner'

JOHN BISSET/Timaru Herald

STRONG COMPETITION: Craighead goal attack, Georgia McRae, challenges Hampstead goal shoot Nerida Jemmett at the opening night of a pre-season tournament.

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The two top teams in South Canterbury netball have been given the opportunity to showcase their talents against other Canterbury clubs.

In an innovation from Canterbury Netball which got under way last night, South Canterbury champions Craighead A and runners-up Harlequins will compete in a pre-season super league tournament that will involve two of the top club teams from Christchurch, Mid-Canterbury and North Canterbury.

Games will be played in three indoor venues in Rolleston, QEII in Christchurch and the SBS centre in Timaru.

Regional development co-ordinator for Canterbury Netball, Amy McKay, said it was a great way for the smaller regions to play teams from some of the major competitions, like the Hagley Park competition in Christchurch.

"We hope that all teams will come in to the season prepared and ready, having gotten a feel for some of the stronger competitions such as Hagley Park."

McKay said playing in indoor stadiums also added something new.

"We are one of the few areas in the country without a dedicated indoor netball facility, so we are keen to make sure our relationship with the three venues continues."

She said it was a great chance for players to play 15-minute quarters, and to play against those who had played representative netball for their province.

Both Craighead and Harlequins found it difficult last night, with Craighead losing to Mid-Canterbury's Hampstead 26-37 and Harlequins going down to Hearts from Christchurch 39-45.

Craighead did have the better of the opening half, as their shooting-circle found its rhythm and the defensive-end created turnovers after initially looking nervous.

The more the game went on, Hampstead grew in confidence, and with costly turnovers at the attacking end, Craighead's lead was just one goal at halftime.

In the second half, Hampstead proved too strong as they put Craighead under immense pressure.

The extra five minutes in each quarter took a toll on Craighead as they struggled to keep up in the final quarter, and the score ballooned out.

Craighead coach Barry Tucker described the performance as "patchy at best" but liked the concept of the tournament, and said he would continue to use it to develop combinations with his young squad.

The more experienced Harlequins showed courage to win their final quarter against the more fancied Hearts 16-10.

It was the middle two quarters which let them down, as Hearts proved too clinical across most of the court. Andrea Stratford's move to centre for Harlequins seemed to help.

In the final quarter the team showed a more physical style of game.

Harlequins captain Kate Johnson said she was "stoked" with how her team played.

She said her team would continue to focus on new combinations for the start of the South Canterbury club season which gets underway on April 17.

- © Fairfax NZ News