Netball: Defending champs do it again

By JULIE ASH

North captain Temepara Clark was mystified yesterday over why her side failed to fire in the opening quarter of national provincial netball championships final in Palmerston North on Saturday night.

North were cleaned out 62-43 by defending champions Waikato.

Waikato had the match won in the first quarter after North succumbed to a horror run of unforced errors, which allowed Waikato to storm to an unassailable 23-8 lead.

"I don't know if it was nerves, if the girls were a bit overwhelmed by the final ... I just don't know what it was," Clark said "We just let it slip away. One went down and everyone followed."

Waikato, who beat North 67-61 in last year's final, were the clear favourites going into the match.

In their six games leading up to the final, Waikato had trounced all of their opponents by 15 goals or more.

The reason for their dominance? Having Irene van Dyk at the back, pocketing goals, has obviously helped. All of Waikato's opponents have struggled to stem the flow to van Dyk, and North, who tried three defensive combinations, were no different. Waikato midcourters Jenny-May Coffin and Amigene Metcalfe had no trouble unleashing high balls to the Silver Fern shooter.

Van Dyk's workload was outstanding. Waikato secured 62 shots from 68 attempts, of which van Dyk nailed 54.

"Our focus wasn't supposed to be on Irene," said North coach Yvonne Willering. "There are balls to be taken in other areas of the court, it is not just in the shooting circle.

"We actually got caught up with Irene when we had discussed that we wouldn't be doing that."

Also prominent for the Waikato team were defenders Casey Williams, Joline Henry and Laura Langman.

At goal keep, Williams was particularly impressive, nabbing her side a considerable amount of ball.

"I don't normally single anyone out ... it has been a full week and everyone has contributed," said Waikato coach Nicole Dryden.

"We would not have got to the final after six days and seven games if we weren't able to play everyone. But I think Casey Williams has been outstanding."

Waikato captain Jenny-May Coffin went a step further, saying Williams was "the best talent" she had ever seen.

The title is Waikato's fourth in six years. Dryden said: "I think we just have a real commitment to the Smokefree Champs and the fact that we represent so many people means something to us."

Shooting stats

Waikato:

Irene van Dyk 54 from 56

Renee Jacobsen 5 from 9

Chantelle Ngaia 3 from 3


North:

Julie Kelman-Poto 6 from 10

Catherine Latu 23 from 28

Teresa Tairi 7 from 11

Daneka Wipiiti 7 from 13