By RICHARD BOOCK
Otago's mainly student-based netball team are facing plenty of extra-curricular work over the summer months after receiving a sobering reality check in the national championship final.
The young Otago side, who desperately wanted to build on their status as the surprise package of the tournament, were left absorbing some
harsh lessons after crashing to a 50-36 loss to Canterbury in Palmerston North on Saturday night.
Although there was a momentary glimmer of light for the underdogs at the start of the match, it was blacked out by Canterbury's irresistible push through the middle two quarters of the match until, with 15 minutes remaining, the result was a formality.
Anchored by defensive dynamos Vilimaina Davu and Anna Veronese, Canterbury were able gradually to break down the Otago side's attacking combinations and feed on a wealth of turnovers and missed shots, as well as converting the lion's share of their own possession.
However, it was not until midway through the first half that the enormous gulf between the sides in terms of big-match experience started to show, as Canterbury's Silver Fern-studded line-up gained close to total dominance and stretched out the scoreline.
After being down by one goal at the first break, Canterbury won the second quarter 14-7 and the third 16-7 to romp away with not only a 50-25 lead, but also their second consecutive national championship title.
Although centre Julie Seymour, who was injured earlier in the week, was subbed off after 15 minutes as Canterbury coach Frances Granger shifted Anna Rowberry to centre, the stalwart midcourter was back into the action at the first opportunity, playing most of the second half at wing-defence.
It was an impressive effort from the Canterbury midcourt, as they were able to overcome the difficulties posed by injury and the subsequent reshuffle to wear down their opposites and present their shooters with some quality possession.
For their part, shooters Jodi Te Huna and Belinda Colling were efficient if not startling, providing constant problems for Otago's defensive apprentices with their strength and their positional work around the circle.
From Otago's point of view, it was a strong challenge but one which was ultimately countered with apparent ease by their close rivals, and there is clearly much more work to be done if the gap is to be bridged.
Possibly the most impressive Otago player was their young defensive livewire Anna Scarlett, whose athletic leaping and quickness around the circle was a continual nuisance for Canterbury's shooters.
There were also some blue-collar efforts from seasoned internationals Adine Harper and Lesley Nicol.
But the little experience Otago were able to muster was spread too thinly on the court, and Canterbury were able to take advantage.
In a way, it was a curious scene in Palmerston North: 2000 non-partisan spectators watching a traditional South Island rivalry which pitted the might of Canterbury against easily the most fascinating - if not successful - side in the national tournament.
For a start, Otago were led by 33-year old centre Janine Brown, who first pulled on a blue-and-gold bib at the start of the previous decade, and that was as a goal-attack-cum shoot.
Then there was the coach, 68-year-old Lois Muir, a former Silver Ferns coach who was first in charge of Otago teams in the days when Sir Keith Holyoake was the New Zealand Prime Minister and Neil Armstrong was walking on the moon.
Adding further interest, Otago's two shooters, Ritchie and Evans, both played for Canterbury last season, and two of Canterbury's finest, Rowberry and Colling, had long stints in Dunedin.
For all that, any interest in the stories behind the final was quickly overtaken by the completeness of Canterbury's performance, and the inability of Otago to match their more fancied rivals.
But there is always next year.
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