Second-day success for Craighead

The second day of the South Island secondary schools netball tournament yesterday proved successful for the Craighead Diocesan School 9A team with a win, draw and loss.

The team lost to Central Southland College, had a come-from-behind draw with St Kevin's College and a good win over Marian College.

The loss of centre and captain Jess Schrader and also reserve midcourter Bridget Murdoch to leg injuries meant some shuffling of positions but the switch of Grace Williams to centre worked well.

Williams covered the court well, with speed and linked well with the attack end.

Erica Taylor again picked up the most intercepts with deceptively quick footwork and Emily Coughlan proved real nuisance value under the goal in defence.

Georgia Murphy at goal shoot showed a fine array of skills against taller opposition and was the player to watch in the final game against Marian College.

Laura Bennett played strong games at wing attack against spirited defence and linked well with the shoots with some accurate passes over the top of the goal defence and keeper.

Fortunately the weather forecast has been wrong with overcast and cool weather the worst to date.

On the opening day a strong first half and fourth quarter led Craighead to a narrow 21-20 win over Otago Girls' High School in their first game. A fast and accurate game from Laura Bennett at wing attack was instrumental in this win.

Subsequent losses to strong and athletic sides from both Avonside Girls' High School and Burnside High School were however disappointing results but both sides were made to earn their wins, with particularly valuable performances from Craighead goal defence Emily Coughlan and goal attack Olivia Hayman.

The steep learning curve should prove worthwhile as the girls progress through this tournament.

Craighead 10A's first game proved to be a big challenge against strong, physical players from Waimea College who went on to win 40-27.

By the second game Craighead 10A had settled into a rhythm and played controlled, disciplined netball against James Hargest. Codi Lilley at centre directed play well and Cara Adolph moved out to goal attack and, using aggressive, smart netball, edged the team steadily ahead eventually winning 30-19.

The third game was a must-win if Craighead were to make it to the top 16.

Against Marian College there were strong performances from Emma Linton at wing defence, who chased down every ball, and Henrietta Jackson at wing attack, whose decision making and control of the ball helped Craighead 10A to a great 26-23 win.