Harlequins and Old Boys impressive in opening round

13/05/2015 Premier
HAR A 56 - 21 CGH A
STP 1 35 - 27 RON B
OB A 29 - 18 MKZ OG
TGHS A 25 - 22 GLD A
OB B 27 - 19 CGH B
RON A 30 - 24 PLP

Harlequins looking unbeatable as they hammer Craighead.
Four rounds into the South Canterbury premier netball competition and this year's favourites for the title have well and truly emerged. Harlequins demolished a short-of-numbers Craighead A side 56-21 at the Southern Trust Events Centre on Wednesday night and will go into next week's table-topping match-up with Roncalli A brimming with confidence. Their defense is stifling, the mid-court combinations working well, and in Pip Oliver and Summer Garden, Harlequins have the two form shooters in the competition in their squad.

29/04/2015 Premier
HAR A 41 - 19 PLP
OB A 43 - 18 RONB
CGH A 33 - 19 OB B
STP 1 - TGHS A
GLD A - MKZ OG

Old Boys A's 18-game unbeaten streak in South Canterbury premier netball looks unlikely to be halted anytime soon. Last-season's undefeated champions showed their credentials for this season's title with a 43-18 demolition of Roncalli B at the Southern Trust Events Centre on Wednesday night. Roncalli B were never in it, down nine goals before they managed to put one in the net, but a competitive second half kept it from becoming a cricket score. Early on, Old Boys' mid-court combination of Ellen Davey, Rowan Wheeler and Annabelle Morgan were ruthlessly efficient, and some superb vision and teamwork from all three put the blue-and-whites up 22-6 at halftime. The scoreline allowed Old Boys to switch up the combinations at halftime, and Roncalli fought their way into the match, losing the third quarter by just a single goal as Abby O'Brien showed she could shoot from long range. Old Boys put the foot back on the gas in the fourth and extended the lead to 25 as the clock wore down. In the early game of the night, an emphatic finish gave St Pats their first victory of the year as they rolled over Timaru Girls' High School. The battle of the newly-promoteds was a seesawing encounter with little structure and some dubious execution on both sides. St Pats started the stronger and despite some rickety shooting led 11-4 at quarter time. An otherwise strong game from St Pats goal attack Jess Austin was interrupted when she rolled her ankle in the second quarter.

After the injury break TGHS stepped up the aggression on defence and reaped the rewards. At 15-13 to St Pats at halftime, and then 22-18 at the end of the third quarter, Girls' High had kept themselves well and truly in it. The schoolgirls needed a big start to the fourth quarter to pull off an unlikely win but instead it was St Pats that went on a 9-1 run to run away with it. Wing attacks Keryn Ward for St Pats and Fakaola Latu for Girls' High showed some classy touches in the mid-court, but often the journey from one end of the court proved too far to go without a mistake. Craighead A got back into winning ways with a 33-19 victory over Old Boys B. The schoolgirls had a surprise loss to Pleasant Point last week but showed they are still a potential threat this season with a classy win. In contrast, newly-promoted Craighead B's difficult start to the season continued. The surprise Challenge Series-qualifiers suffered another heavy loss as Roncalli A got into their stride with a 36-12 victory. Harlequins A were to play Pleasant Point, while Geraldine High School were to meet Mackenzie Old Girls in the late games.

22/04/2015 Premier
HAR A 44 - 11 CGH B
MKZ OG 23 - 17 TGHS A
PLP 34 - 31 CGH B
RON A 42 - 23 OB B
RON B 34 - 36 GLD
OB A 43 - 22 STP 1

Unheralded Pleasant Point have started their premier netball season in the best possible way, stunning Craighead A 34-31 in a first-round thriller. Craighead A's first quarter of the year was their undoing at the Southern Trust Events Centre on Wednesday night. Down 13-4 at the break, the nine-point gap proved too much to come back from as Pleasant Point used their physicality to roll over top of the schoolgirls. Pleasant Point shooters Kate Pagan and Anneke Clarke were lethal from all ranges early on and centre Tash Boa was supreme in the mid-court. Craighead A fought back and were down by just six at halftime. The game lost all fluency in the third quarter as both sides tired but Craighead goal shoot Amber Horne was a constant. As others waned, she stepped up and kept Craighead in touch at 27-21 at three-quarter time. Craighead came within three with five minutes remaining, and their large band of supporters began to rev up. But as the nerves set in down the stretch, and turnovers became the order of the day, it was Pleasant Point that made the plays when it counted. Last year's beaten finalists Roncalli A have big dreams for 2015 but they started with early-season rust in their arms. They led just 9-7 over Old Boys B at first-quarter time as the Challenge Series's best team footed it with the big guns.

That changed almost instantly at the turn. Roncalli A rattled off a 9-1 run as they found width and flair with their passing game. Goal attack Laura Dorgan was prominent as always, but it was the mid-court where Roncalli A bossed it. Down 20-12 at halftime, Old Boys B never gave in, but never threatened a come back as Roncalli A stretched the winning margin to 42-23. Defending champions Old Boys A were even more clinical on the other court, mirroring Roncalli A almost completely in their 43-22 win over newly-promoted St Pats. Timaru Girls' High School A have also been promoted to the now 12-team competition but the senior B winners from last season showed they belonged in the big time. They made Mackenzie Old Girls work extremely hard for their 23-17 victory in a game that was scrappy at times. Later in the night, Harlequins A were far too strong for Craighead B, winning in a canter by 44-11. In the other late game Geraldine High School pulled off a stunning fourth-quarter comeback against Roncalli B. The two teams could barely be separated at half time but suffocating defence mixed with some clean shooting early in the third quarter sent Roncalli B on a run. They led 30-23 at the end of the third quarter but Geraldine High School refused to lie down. Geraldine shooter Rosie O'Brien became a beacon for the mid-court and she nailed everything as the minutes ticked down. Her partner in crime Maisie Fisher buried a couple of shots from distance to secure the 36-34 win as Roncalli B crumbled.
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2014

6/08/2014 Premier
Geraldine High A 38 Roncalli B 31
Craighead A 30 MacKenzie OG 22
Old Boys A 39 Roncalli A 26
Harlequins 1 38 Pleasant Point Hotel 24

Harlequins and Roncalli A deadlocked
30/07/2014 vs Roncalli A
Harlequins and Roncalli A could not be separated after a 33-33 draw in South Canterbury premier netball last night. A dreadful third quarter for Roncalli A, where their one-goal advantage was transformed into a six goal deficit, was their undoing while Harlequins let slip the advantage in the last 10 minutes. In other matches; Mackenzie were too good for Roncalli B, leaders Old Boys overcame Pleasant Point and sickness-struck Craighead humbled Geraldine High School. In a match that has the potential to be a semifinal next month, both Roncalli A and Harlequins started in cagey fashion. Roncalli A defenders Jaymee Cannell and Kate Braddick created an early advantage. Roncalli A were guilty of throwing away turnover ball but offensive rebounds from Laura Dorgan maintained their momentum. Roncalli earned a 10-6 first- quarter advantage. Roncalli A feasted on rebounds and swift play through the midcourt in the second quarter as the lead was extended to six. The Harlequins defensive duo of captain Kate Johnson and Myra Adams were a constant threat but an ill Johnson left the court midway through the second quarter. The gap closed from six to one by halftime. Harlequins showed the most composure to start the second half and took the lead. Harlequins goal shoot Summer Phiskie's movement around the circle improved. Errors in transition from defence to attack hurt Roncalli A under a suffocating Harlequins defence. Adams took charge of the defensive circle and Johnson's replacement, Nicola Prue, slotted in well at goal defence. A more confident Roncalli swooped in the final quarter and closed the gap to two goals with four minutes to play. The game was locked up with two minutes to play and that was how it finished.

Harlequins survive Geraldine netball fright
23/07/14 vs Geraldine
Harlequins survived a fright from Geraldine High School as did Old Boys against Craighead as South Canterbury premier netball resumed last night. Pleasant Point and Roncalli A also earned crucial wins as teams tried to push their claims for a top four spot. Geraldine started strongly thanks to a couple of intercepts from goal keep Amelia Wardell. Harlequins initially struggled to treasure possession and in an opening quarter that lacked shooting accuracy, both teams were deadlocked 6-6. Both teams went goal-for-goal in the second quarter, even trading turnovers. It was Geraldine who held their nerve to snatch a 14-13 halftime advantage. The Harlequins' shooters began to lose confidence, but their defence kept them in the game. Geraldine refused to go away and their speed and intensity impressed. Harlequins held a 19-17 advantage with one quarter remaining. They extended that margin to a game-high four, midway through the quarter and never looked back.
SCORES:
Roncalli A 35 Mackenzie Old Girls 31
Pleasant Point 39 Roncalli B 28
Harlequins 25 Geraldine High School 22
Old Boys 37 Craighead 35

2/07/14 vs Craighead A
Harlequins were keen to avenge their first-round loss to Craighead and they started promisingly, bounding out to a 9-5 quarter-time advantage. Had Craighead goal attack Maddie Lysaght not been so involved, Harlequins' advantage could have been more. Harlequins wing defence Kara Hayes had a strong first half while Craighead played well in patches but could not stick with Harlequins. A six-goal advantage at halftime looked to be a winning advantage. It proved to be the case as Craighead failed to treasure possession in the second half. Harlequins were not at their dynamic best but with an 11-goal advantage for the fourth quarter, the victory was never in doubt.
Scores;
Old Boys 34, Roncalli B 26;
Mackenzie Old Girls 30, Pleasant Point 23;
Harlequins 37, Craighead 21;
Roncalli A 52, Geraldine High School 32

25/06/14 vs Roncalli B
Harlequins' defence was strong from the opening whistle. Goal keep Kate Johnson and goal defence Nic Prue stifled the Roncalli B attack while Courtney Robson was a menace in the mid court. Roncalli B exerted some defensive pressure of their own through goal keep Ruby Harper, but still trailed by six at quarter-time. Harlequins stretched their starting the second quarter. Goal shoot Summer Phiskie created space for herself with good holds but her shooting was not as consistent. and Roncalli B stuck to their task to close the gap to four by halftime. The speed that helped Harlequins early began to put them under pressure as they began forcing the pass, but their defence remained solid, even with the introduction of Myra Adams to goal defence and Kara Hayes to goal defence. Roncalli B remained hungry for the ball but Harlequins held them off and stretched the margin to 12 by fulltime.
Scores;
Harlequins 32 Roncalli B 20
Roncalli A 48 Craighead 23
Geraldine HS 39 Pleasant Pt 27
Old Boys 33 Mackenzie OG 21

18/06/14 vs MacKenzie OG
Harlequins were looking to bounce back from a shock loss to Craighead in the previous round and certainly made a strong statement early. The Mackenzie Old Girls attack struggled to get the better of the Harlequins' defence. Harlequins goal shoot Summer Phiskie took charge of the shooting responsibility as her team earned a commanding 12-2 quarter-time advantage. Mackenzie were more competitive in the second quarter and created a few turnovers. Held balls continued to thwart their efforts to get back into the game and their attacking accuracy was lacking. They did keep pace with Harlequins in the second quarter but had enough opportunities to trim the lead. Harlequins gave Myra Adams a run at goal keep in the second half as she is likely to replace Natalie Rooney while she is at the Commonwealth Games. Mackenzie conceded the first five goals of the third quarter as the lead grew to 16 by the final break. Mackenzie's Vanessa Greeneood had a strong final quarter in the defence circle and while it was an improved final quarter from Mackenzie, punctuated by better ball control and defensive pressure, the first three quarters told the bigger story of the game.
Scores;
Harlequins 34, Mackenzie Old Girls 21;
Roncalli A 48, Roncalli B 22;
Old Boys 35, Geraldine High School 28;
Pleasant Point 34, Craighead 26.

4/06/2014 vs Timaru OB
Old Boys kept their unbeaten run going with a hard-fought 33-26 win over second placed Harlequins in the premier netball last night. The Blues led at every quarter and were up 20-13 at half time. Their attacking mid court of Anita Denbaars and Hannah Langford were impressive, while goal shoot Lindsay Anderson was prepared to shoot from anywhere and returned the impressive statistics of 19 from 21. Harlequins struggled through the mid court with their shooters off target but a couple of changes at half time switched the momentum, closing the gap to three goals at the end of the third quarter. Old Boys, however, regained their mojo to close the game out.

28/05/2014 vs Roncalli A
Competition powerhouse, Harlequins, suffered their first loss of the season to Roncalli A. The first half was Roncalli's to lose. An out-of-the-bag performance saw them lead 18-11 at half time. However, a feisty Harlequins fought back to dominate the third quarter. They netted nine goals in a row to end the quarter 20-all. The nail-biting final quarter saw Roncalli find their earlier rhythm for a 27-23 upset win.

21/05/2014 vs Roncalli B
Harlequins and Old Boys underlined their South Canterbury premier netball title credentials while Pleasant Point proved just how dangerous they can be, at the Southern Trust Events Centre last night. Old Boys and Harlequins managed comfortable wins while Pleasant Point upset Roncalli A and Mackenzie Old Girls heaped more misery on Craighead's season with a surprise victory.
Roncalli B gave plenty of early cheek against Harlequins, holding them to 8-8 after the opening quarter. They were able to slow Harlequins' ball through the court while the ever reliable Kate Shaw holding things together defensively. Harlequins eventually flexed their muscles in the middle quarters to earn a comfortable win.

14/05/2014 vs MacKenzie OG
Mackenzie Old Girls came out strongly against competition favourites Harlequins. Rachel Scott's strong first quarter at goal shoot kept them in touch with a Harlequins side who did not find their rhythm early despite clinging to a narrow lead. But Harlequins stretched their advantage from that point. Natalie Rooney had a strong game at goal defence while Stacey Grant was a strong attacker for Mackenzie. The speed of Harlequins' centre Courtney Robson often stifled the Mackenzie flow. By midway through the match Harlequins held a nine-goal advantage. Mackenzie finished strongly but Kate Johnson's Harlequins prevailed 31-21.
Scores;
Craighead 38, Timaru Girls' High School 25;
Harlequins 31, Mackenzie Old Girls 21;
Old Boys 46, Pleasant Point 32;
Roncalli A 32, Roncalli B 27.

7/05/2014 vs Roncalli A
TGHS faced a tough challenge against Harlequins after giving Roncalli A a real battle in the opening week. Harlequins had a strong defensive duo in Natalie Rooney and Kate Johnson. However, TGHS refused to be intimidated and drew the opening quarter 6-6. TGHS centre Jessica Golding was busy trying to feed her shooters and was energetic around the court. TGHS captain Bonnie Opie was using her space in the shooting circle but she was matched by opposite Summer Phiskie. TGHS lost defender Amelia Manson to a leg injury. It did little to stop their momentum as they gained a 15-11 halftime lead. Harlequins scored the first three goals of the third quarter to close the gap. They eventually took the lead 17-16 as basic errors hurt TGHS. The Harlequins' attackers fed the shooters well and it helped them to a 25-20 lead. Harlequins' experience saw them extend the margin in the final quarter to a margin that did not show how competitive TGHS had been in the first half.
Scores:
Old Boys 35, Roncalli B 13;
Roncalli A 28, Mackenzie Old Girls 26;
Harlequins 37, Timaru Girls' High School 25;
Pleasant Point 35, Craighead 32.

OPENING ROUND 2014
30/04/2014 vs Pleasant Point
Harlequins welcomed back veteran defender Kate Johnson and shooter Summer Phiskie and it calmed both ends of the court in their win over Pleasant Point. They opened up a six-goal quarter-time advantage and never looked back. Last year's beaten finalist's looked a cut above Point who struggled to find their shooters. Point improved defensively in the second quarter with goal keep Pip Oliver using her height well. Harlequins' speed through court also made them more threatening and helped them to a 19-10 halftime lead. Harlequins rung the changes for the third quarter and all it did was settle Pleasant Point. Goal attack Jenna Taipana was busy for Point while former Point player Jemma Bower had a strong third quarter in the mid court. An 11-goal lead at the final break was extended to 14 at fulltime after a scrappy final quarter.
Scores;
Roncalli B 23, Craighead 17;
Harlequins 34, Pleasant Point 20;
Roncalli A 35, Timaru Girls' High School 31;
Old Boys 39, Mackenzie Old Girls 29