Clarkson ‘very pleased’ with Year 8 netballers

The Wairarapa year 8 netball team has made an excellent start to their 2009 representative season, reaching the semi-finals of a tournament in Palmerston North hosted by Netball Wairarapa.
Coach Dayle Clarkson was "very pleased" with the results achieved, saying all 10 squad members had stepped up to the challenge.
"It was a real bonus knowing you could make substitutions and have total faith in the job still being done," Clarkson said.
A highlight of the Wairarapa effort was the effectiveness of their through court defence which was so tight that in three games their opponents failed to score in the last quarter.
Wairarapa's opening match in pool play was against Napier and they trailed by just the one goal, 6 to 7, at halftime.
Clarkson said nerves had been the biggest factor in a somewhat slow start but once they warmed to the task they had assumed a good measure of control, leading by two at the end of the third quarter and eventually winning by a convincing 20-9.
Second up Wairarapa met a reputedly strong Central Hawke's Bay side and while they trailed by 5-6 at halftime they were coping well enough with the physical style of play of their opposition to suggest victory was within their capabilities. And so it proved with Wairarapa again pulling away over the latter stages to win 18-8..
"It was a good test of our mental and physical strengths and, quite honestly, we were tougher than I anticipated we might be," coach Clarkson said.
Wairarapa's third match against Manawatu Development was something of a see-saw affair. They raced out to an early 7-1 lead but Manawatu were level pegging at 12-12 by the end of the third quarter. That meant the pressure was on both teams to finish strongly in the last quarter and it was Wairarapa who responded best to that challenge, winning 16-12.
As it happened it was their next opponent, Motu Kairangi, who provided Wairarapa with their sternest opposition in pool play.
Wairarapa made a good start to be even at 4-4 in the first quarter but Motu Kairangi's through court speed and accurate shooting saw them take a commanding lead after they scored 10 goals to one in the third quarter. Wairarapa did come back to draw the last quarter 4-4 but Motu Kairangi emerged as comfortable 24-10 winners.
That defeat meant to make the semis Wairarapa had to beat Rangitikei in the last of their pool matches and if they were nervous about their chances it didn't show. They were a class above their opponents from the word go, winning by 31-8.
The semi-finals saw Wairarapa up against impressive pool A winners Wanganui and while they started well enough the greater height of Wanganui at both ends of the court meant it was difficult to convert possession into goals. Wanganui were the better team on the day and deserved their 30-19 win. It was no surprise they should go on to win the final too although Motu Kairangi made them work hard, Wanganui winning 32-31 through a goal being scored right on fulltime.
Wairarapa's Elleshia Clarkson was named in the 10-strong tournament team. Her high work rate, speed through the court and outstanding shooting, attacking and defensive skills represented a splendid all-round performance. Other Wairarapa players to shine for their consistent play were Tayla Carson-Butler and Sevanna Connor.