Netball: North coach says lesson learned after first defeat

Temepara George

Defending champions North already have a loss beside their name in netball's national championship, but coach Melissa Walker is not despondent.

The North Harbour side charged through last year's Scottwood Trust Championships unbeaten to win their first national title since 1997.

However, that came to an end last weekend when they lost to Canterbury.

The North side, which includes Silver Ferns Temepara George and Leana de Bruin, trailed Canterbury in every quarter before losing 51-42.

"I made some positional changes which, looking back on it, was probably an error," Walker said. "I made changes in all areas of the court - it was something that I have learned and I won't be doing it again."

Despite that Walker, who is in her first year as North coach, was impressed with Canterbury, and in particular shooter Shelley Norris.

"She has lost a lot of weight, she has toned up and she looks good.

"Canterbury are like their rugby team, they have their own culture which is so different from anyone else. They just looked primo, they played pretty well, near their best I'd say. We are nowhere near our best yet, we are just coming out of neutral."

The loss to Canterbury should be North's only in section play. Competing in section A, they face Counties Manukau today and Wellington tomorrow in their final matches before the cross over games start on Wednesday. Counties Manakau have struggled in the competition, suffering losses in their opening three games.

Wellington have had two wins and one loss so far, having beaten Counties Manukau and Eastern and lost to Otago. They are expected to finish third in their pool behind Canterbury and North, which means they will advance to the top six playoffs.

The competition in Section B spices up today with Auckland Waitakere taking on last year's finalists Waikato.

After three games, Auckland Waitakere have yet to lose. However, they have not been really challenged. They will be tested today when they tackle Waikato, who looked a little shaky in their opening games.

The Silver Ferns-laden side still appear to be coming to grips with their new attacking combination after losing wing attack Amigene Metcalfe and goal attack Anna Senio.

It won't get any easier for them today against Auckland Waitakere and their potent defensive combination of Anna Scarlett and Stephanie Bond.

Auckland Waitakere's final section game tomorrow is against Southland, who drew with Waikato last weekend.


National championships

Trusts Stadium, Waitakere.

Today's first grade games:
Western v Bay of Plenty, 2pm.
Eastern v Otago, 3.45pm
Waikato v Auckland Waitakere, 5.30pm.
Wellington v Canterbury 5.30pm
North v Counties Manukau, 7.15pm
Southland v Tasman 7.15pm.