By JULIE ASH
Counties and Manukau hopes of a semifinal spot at the national championships ended last night when they were thrashed 71-43 by Canterbury in Invercargill.
Canterbury led at every quarter as they completed an unbeaten run through the round-robin stage of the competition.
But Counties and Manukau's loss was Otago's
gain as they beat Western Manawatu 64-33 to finish second behind Canterbury in pool B and claim the last of the semifinal places.
Defending champions Waikato continued their unbeaten run when they beat Southland 62-53 last night to secure the top spot in pool A ahead of their southern rivals. Waikato, who are gunning for their third consecutive title, were up by 16 goals in the third quarter, but a late Southland charge closed the gap.
"Our starting effort was good, but then they really got their tails up and it was all on again," Waikato coach Ruth Aitken said.
"We really went to sleep in the third quarter, which is a worry.
"But you don't beat a side like Southland without a great team. I am delighted with them and I'll keep them all on," she joked.
In today's playoffs, Waikato face Otago, and Southland play Canterbury. The winners will square off in the final tomorrow night.
"Otago are a strong and fit side," Aitken said. "They have Lesley Nicol and Adine Harper in the midcourt, and coach Lois Muir has really worked on the younger players such as Angelina Yates, who is working beautifully at goal attack.
"I expect it to be a fast and close game. But there is a good feeling in our side, there is no negativity but a lot of heart."
She expects Canterbury will be too strong for Southland in the other semifinal.
The remaining eight first division sides will also play cross-over matches to decide the seedings for next year's event.
In other first division matches yesterday, Auckland Waitakere were beaten by Bay of Plenty 75-56 and Netball North downed Eastern 66-44.
Today, Auckland Waitakere play Eastern and Netball North face Wellington.
