Culverden PA took on Cheviot PA for the play off for 3rdplace in the PA grade.  After a draw last week both teams were eager to assert themselves as top dog and had nothing to lose.  Cheviot started well with Bella Davis moving quickly throughout the court as GA and slotting some early goals to take her team to a 5-4 lead at the first break.  In the second quarter the Culverden team started what became a momentum that carried on throughout the game.  Madacin Archbold and Meg Habgood shot well to take Culverden to the halftime lead 11-7.  The remainder of the game carried on to Culverden’s advantage despite some great work by Cheviot’s midcourter Tegan Pain.  Player of the day, Pema Woods at WD for Culverden placed steadfast defensive pressure on her opponent throughout the midcourt and went hunting for some great intercepts.  These turnovers helped Culverden to a healthy lead by three quarter time, 22-8. In the final quarter, the defensive trio of Briana Hodgen, Caitlin Bosson and Woods worked together to place defensive pressure on the ball and restricted Cheviot’s attackers from getting the ball to their goal circle. This helped Culverden take out the game 33 goals to 8.

After a near loss to Cheviot the previous week, Hanmer A were determined to carry that momentum into their game against Culverden Red this weekend. Their game plan worked well from the start and they moved the ball through court with confidence to their strong goal circle pairing of Mel Smith and Bobby Childs.

In mid court Zoey Cuff found plenty of space, confidently handling her Centre position and was ably supported in moving the ball to the shooting circle by Sarah Currie and Jo Murphy. Jaz Cuff and Kendall Bond were mighty on defence, leaving few balls unchallenged. Hanmer A came away with a definitive win 33-18.

Finals day Hawarden

Hurunui Netball Finals Day

A cold, frosty start turned into a stunning day for the Hurunui Netball finals

held in Hawarden.

At lunch time Hawarden Primary A played a tightly fought match against Waiau

primary A. Hawarden proved too tough for Waiau and they took the Primary A

shield.

As the crowds gathered and the sun out the competition got tougher. Hawarden

A played Glenmark A in the Senior B final. Glenmark got off to a strong start

and their defence proved difficult to get through. Tara Abbott’s powerful feeding

kept Hawarden in the game. Changes made at halftime gave some fresh legs to

the game, moving Lauren Brinsford to GD and Debbie Board in at GK put the

pressure on Glenmarks strong shooters. Fighting hard till the end, Glenmark’s

mid court commanded many forced errors by Hawarden. Glenmark took out the

Senior B shield with the final score 26-16.

The final game of the day was the Senior A final where Cheviot A played

Culverden A. A fair contested game resulted in Cheviot winning 24-13.

A wonderful end to the 2018 Hurunui Netball season.