Howick College will meet defending champions Avondale College in the final of the NZ Secondary Schools Netball Champs after the pair took contrasting routes to their destination at the Christchurch Netball Centre-hosted event on Thursday.
In the last match of the day to decide tomorrow’s final place play-offs, Howick completed an unbeaten run at the tournament with a comprehensive 43-19 win over Christchurch Girls’ High School to put their marker in the sand.
On the back of an upset solitary goal loss to Westlake Girls High School in their first match of the day, Avondale were in a must-win situation against St Mary’s College Wellington and duly delivered with a forceful 46-32 response to earn their spot in the final.
After sneaking into the top eight on goal differential, Westlake’s giant-killing run, after two impressive wins was derailed when they were upset 47-32 by a resolute Tawa College to end their hopes.
A polished Howick College have been in eye-catching form throughout the tournament, maintaining their presence with a forceful outing against Christchurch Girls’ High to reinforce their credentials.
A physically-imposing team, Howick were a cut above their opponents across all facets of the court, showing their proficiency on attack and defensively to keep Christchurch Girls High firmly on the back foot.
The slick interplay and timing between shooters Sierra Lau’ese and Zermahina Manu gave Howick a decisive edge and able to score at double the rate of their opponents. The menacing in-circle defensive pairing of Avah Sila and Eseta Waqaira made life difficult for the Christchurch Girls’ High shooters, ramming home their advantage in the final quarter when restricting them to just three goals.
In the middle, centre Charlie Lindsay was in the thick of all the action, leaving her mark with a string of intercepts.
After their disappointing loss in the morning, Avondale College got it right when it mattered most. After a tight first quarter when they led by three, a telling second stanza pushed the Auckland side into a position of control.
Through their movement and effective option-taking, Avondale midcourters Jonni-Rose Chamberlain and Lillian Henare-Vaihi provided a steady stream of quality ball for influential shooter Priscilla Rasmussen.
At the other end, defenders Amarnie Harris and Grace Jarvie-Otufanagavalu kept the St Mary’s shooters under tight wraps, the unrelenting pressure taking a heavy toll with plenty of turnovers ensuing.
Showing more energy and drive, Tawa produced a lively outing to knock the wind out of Westlake Girls chances and ending their hopes of making the final.
Enterprising in their play where goal attack Breearn Wilson was a key contributor through her court movement and shooting accuracy and the constant presence of influential wing defence Indi Edmonds-Tupoea helped give Tawa a healthy 25-13 halftime lead.
Westlake held their own through the third stanza but could make few inroads into Tawa’s momentum and will now play off for third place against Saint Kentigern College.
Westlake Girls High School and Howick College sat in the box seat to top their respective pools heading into the final round of crossover matches.
In their opening matches on Thursday, Westlake ended Avondale College’s unbeaten run at the tournament with a thrilling 35-34 win while Howick remained unbeaten following a comfortable 38-21 win over St Margaret’s College.
The final will be played at 1.40pm tomorrow (Friday).