Waimea win over Prices Pharmacy

Story by: By CAROL COOK - The Nelson Mail - Photo by: By Chris Symes

Waimea College's dream netball season became a reality last night when they defeated defending champions Prices Pharmacy 50-45 to take the premier grade championship.

The game was played out in front of a sizeable crowd at Saxton Stadium. The college girls were definitely the spectators' favourite, and the sighs were audible when goals were missed in the opening minutes.

The first quarter saw the teams trade goals until Prices scored three but, not to be outdone, Waimea replied with four unanswered goals of their own.

It was Prices goal shoot Chelsea Brooks who had the final say in the period when she converted a penalty shot to give the black team a 13-12 lead.

Waimea had more possession in the opening quarter, scoring 12 from their 18 attempts, while Prices scored 13 from 16.

The second quarter saw Waimea's feeders Georgia Brownlee and Ella Marwick delivering better ball to goal shoot Megan Thomson. Thomson found her rhythm despite coming under considerable pressure from circle defenders Melissa Edmonds-Whale and Moana Forbes.

Goal attack Kelsey Whiting was calm and collected as she converted from long range to prove that she should not be left open.

Waimea scored in twos and threes while Prices could only increase their tally by ones and twos, which was evident in the 15-10 quarter score. The third quarter was pretty much identical, with the score 15-9.

With Prices 10 adrift, coach Jane Andrew rang the changes. Dayveen Stephens was introduced at goal keep, Edmonds-Whale was moved out to goal defence and Forbes was moved into centre. The changes made an immediate impact and Prices scored the first three goals.

Stephens' presence in the circle appeared to unsettle Thomson and Whiting, while Edmonds-Whale relished having the extra room to move.

The fourth period was Prices' best, as they outscored the schoolgirls 13-8, however it was a case of too little, too late.

Centre Marwick gave a stellar performance. She was a great pivotal link through court and put in pinpoint passes to Thomson.

Brownlee was steady as a rock as she marshalled her team, while Kelsey Whiting took on a hefty workload through court as well as stepping up to land crucial goals.

Dayna Whiting was steady at wing defence, while her replacement, Summer Roberts, put in a number of nice long feeds to Thomson.

Circle defenders Zoe Walker and Jordyn Webby toiled tirelessly throughout, however they were expensive, amassing 57 contact and obstruction calls between them. Walker was a powerful rebounder and gathered in a couple of well-timed intercepts.

As the final whistle sounded, the Waimea College girls hugged and congratulated one another on a great victory for themselves and their school.

Coach Ani Waitai was proud of her charges, of the great team effort and how they all lifted yet another notch.

For Prices, Brooks shouldered a hefty load as she was the dominant shooter, converting 35 from 43 to be the game's most accurate at 81 per cent. She was put under considerable pressure and at times looked tentative on the shot as the Waimea defenders double teamed her.

Goal attack Belinda Wilson (playing her first full game of the season in the position) grafted for the full 60 minutes, while Miranda Hart-Tava displayed gritty determination as she backed up 30 minutes of court time for her Prices Divas team immediately before the premier final. She did a power of work off the line, drove well to circle edge and was always on hand to reoffer.

Daina Crosbie could be well pleased with efforts at centre as she matched up against the taller Marwick.

Pip Lee at wing defence put in another solid performance, as she applied the pressure which enabled her defenders to pick up the intercept ball.

Forbes was outstanding, first at goal defence before moving to her more accustomed position at centre. She pulled in some beautiful ball and her elevation and timing was superb.

Andrew, while disappointed with the loss, had special praise for Wilson at goal attack, saying she could not have asked more of her speed and positional play. Edmonds-Whale and Forbes also got the thumbs up from Andrew.