By JULIE ASH
Netball North and Auckland Waitakere have charged into the semifinals of the national provincial championships at Mystery Creek.
With three wins from three games the two sides have cemented places in Friday's semifinals, where they are likely to be joined by defending champions Canterbury and hosts Waikato.
But while
North racked up another big score, trouncing Canterbury 65-44 tonight, Auckland Waitakere just edged out Otago 49-46.
Auckland led at every break 16-11, 28-23 and 40-35, but a late Otago charge saw them take the lead in the final quarter.
"It was really only in the last five to seven minutes that we stepped up a level and went up by three," said Auckland Waitakere coach Judy Weston. "Otago played quite a disruptive game. We were a little bit low on the intensity, which is something we need to look at ... but we have another two games before we hit the semis, so we'll just continue to work on things."
Canterbury were without Silver Fern Belinda Colling, who had to return to Christchurch to work, against Netball North. Down 15-10 at the first quarter break, Canterbury fell further behind the star-studded North as the match progressed.
Netball North coach Yvonne Willering said: "We certainly played a lot better than we did against Wellington. We had the speed again, but at least we had far more control."
Once again Willering was able to get all her players on court. But the side were still without defender Linda Vagana, who, due to a heavy workload, is unsure when she can play in the tournament.
Asked if Vagana would be at Mystery Creek for Netball North's match against Waikato tomorrow, Willering could only say, "if she is available".
Waikato scraped to a 54-42 win over Wellington tonight and are struggling without midcourters Jenny-May Coffin and captain Amigene Metcalfe, who are suffering calf strains.
Tomorrow, Netball North face Waikato, Wellington play Otago and Auckland Waitakere face Canterbury. In the bottom six Western play Eastern, Tasman meet Southland and Counties Manukau play Bay of Plenty.
