Netball: Preparation's key for Huias to reign

HHSOG Huias goal attack Kirby Heath (left) and Otane Force goal keep Rhiarna Ferris will be rivals tonight and teammates tomorrow. Photo / Paul Taylor

Top marks for optimism in the build up to tonight's Hawke's Bay Super 6 premier netball final go to Hastings High School Old Girls Huias goal attack Kirby Heath.

The former Tactix squad member, who is in her first season playing in the Bay, is confident Huias can upset defending champions Otane Force in the Woodford House gym despite the fact the Force are unbeaten this season and will be chasing their 10th title in 12 attempts.

"Any team is beatable on the day. As long as we get our preparation right we can bring the title home," Heath, 23, said.

Should Huias triumph it will be Heath's second consecutive club title as last year she played for Nga Hau E Wha who won the Gisborne competition. This is her second season back playing again after she collected a back injury when she was with the Tactix squad while completing a four-year Bachelor of Sport coaching course at university in Christchurch.

The final is part of a busy weekend of netball for the assistant manager at Glassons in Napier. Tomorrow she will train with Hawke's Bay's NPC team and on Sunday she will be one of eight Bay players attending a Pulse trial in Palmerston North.

"I would love to be in the Pulse environment. Tanya [Hawke's Bay-based Pulse coach Dearns] has told me to be myself and do my thing. We can alter the weaknesses as I go."

It will be the same for Otane Force goal keep Rhiarna Ferris. Like Heath, Ferris is confident Hawke's Bay can secure a top-eight finish at the September 27-October 2 nationals in Wellington.

A Central under-23 rep this year, Ferris, 23, is relaxed about her chances of making the Pulse squad this year.

"Making the Pulse team is a long-term goal and while Sunday is an opportunity I'm not putting much pressure on myself."

A sports degree student at EIT and fitness trainer at Woodford House, Ferris has represented Hawke's Bay through the age groups and also attended Manawatu's Tu Toa School. Should the Force triumph tonight she will taste Super 6 glory for the fourth time.

"If we give it our best shot we will have a good chance," she said.

Force coach Annemarie Kupa-Petera tempered Ferris' confidence with a touch of caution.

"We've had a good season but final time is always a different story. With the team we've got we should come through and we've got options if our starting seven isn't achieving what we want."

Kupa-Petera agreed the venue would give her team an advantage. Huias coach Kaylene Higgs wasn't concerned about that.

"Any noise is a good noise as far as we're concerned."

After a poor start to the season Huias have played to their potential at the business end of the season.

"I'm looking for consistency for the whole game. We've had a game plan which has yet to be executed from the beginning to the end of a game, but if all 11 players can do this against Otane we can take the final," Higgs added.

Both teams

The Thirsty Whale Otane Force:

Chrissie Leppien, Tammy Kupa, Treyana Faulkner, Becky Kupa, Claire McGettigan, Briar Chalmers, Rhiarna Ferris, Yahaira Williams, Penny Ibister, Nichola Heremia.

PlusRehab Hastings High School Old Girls' Huias: Reegan Brown, Ashlee Wilson, Kirby Heath, Anna Cudby, Jaz Primmer, Catrina O'Connell, Raewyn Parahi, Charlotte Wilkins, Tia Lewis, Nat Brown, Abby Breakwell.