Led by experienced Northland-born Jess Moulds, the Otago under-21 netball side savoured the taste of sweet revenge when they claimed a vital 72-49 victory over rivals Western to make the New Zealand under-21 age-group netball championship
semifinals.
Moulds was named captain of the New Zealand under-21 side ahead of the competition
which got under way on Monday and added defensive depth to the side, who advanced through to the semis after beating Counties Manukau, Wellington and Western.
"It was good to get revenge - Western beat us in the Lois Muir Challenge final earlier this year," Moulds said.
Otago's next hurdle at the tournament was Auckland Waitakere - who were too strong for the southerners, shutting them out of the final by eight goals, in what was a close and physical encounter at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin.
Auckland Waitakere went on to win the under-21 grade after they defeated Southland 40-30 in the final, while Otago claimed third place following their 62-44 win over Canterbury.
"We were pretty disappointed we didn't get to the final but we finished well with a win ... third is not bad and we played some good netball. It was a very close competition this year - the tightest I have played in," the 19-year-old goal defence said.
For her consistent efforts throughout the week, Moulds was named in the tournament team.
Moulds heads to Canberra on Tuesday with the national under-21 side, ahead of a mini-tournament where the Kiwis will face the Australian 19 and under squad, the Australian Institute of Sport and a touring England under-19 squad.
From July 13-22, the New Zealand team, who have been playing opposite each other in the national tournament, will join forces to play the Australian and English teams three times each, in what will be a challenging test.
"The AIS team is a combination of the under-19 and under-21 teams so they will be tough, but it will be good for our team," Moulds said.
Following her return to New Zealand, Moulds will begin preparations with Otago ahead of September's 2010 Perry Foundation National Netball Championships.
