Bigger step facing Wairarapa in regional netball league

Wairarapa coach Marion Tulloch acknowledges her team will need to take a step up if they are to beat Norths from Kapi Mana in the regional superleague netball match at the Genesis Recreation Centre in Masterton tomorrow night.
Tulloch was pleased with the overall performance of her side in their 52-39 win over a Kapiti selection when the superleague competition kicked off last week but is under no illusions that Norths will provide much sterner opposition. A sentiment supported by first round results which saw Norths hammer Maidstone United 70-31.
Tulloch didn't see that game but said a look at the teamcards indicated that Norths would be especially strong at the shooting end of the court.
"They have talented players in that department and we're guessing that is where their strength lies," she said.
With that in mind Wairarapa has been working hard on their defence and Tulloch is confident that players like Celia Donaldson, Ella Biggs and Lisa Manihera will rise to the occasion.
"They know the onus is on them to make life difficult for the opposition shooters and I am sure they will", she said. "We have to get in their faces and make them work hard for everything they get."
Tulloch expects Norths to play a more physical brand of netball than Kapiti and admits it.will be interesting to see how the younger members of her squad respond to that situation. Missing from the Wairarapa squad again tomorrow night will be Sarah Brooking and Harriet Somerville, both of whom are still recovering from injury