Netball: Pressure no problem for Tutaia

Maria Tutaia takes a shot yesterday. Picture / Paul Estcourt

If she is feeling the pressure, Maria Tutaia isn't showing it.

The Auckland Waitakere goal attack is very much the netballer of the moment.

Not only is she expected to step into goal attack for next month's Silver Ferns series against Australia, she also has several franchises bidding for her services in next year's National Bank Cup.

That would be enough to bring on a panic attack for most 19-year-olds.

Not Tutaia. In yesterday's match against Southland she calmly slotted 27 of her 31 shots.

It wasn't enough to secure her side the win - they lost 46-41 - but her performance once again showed just how rare a talent she is.

Up against the formidable Megan Hutton and Jenny Ferguson, Tutaia - ranked the fourth best shooter in the competition with an average of 89 per cent - not only combined well with her younger goal shoot Paula Griffin, but her silky shooting style had the crowd oohing and ahhing.

Leading 14-7 and 25-19 in the first two quarters, Auckland Waitakere ran aground in the third. The introduction of Tania Dalton helped settle the Southland attack.

Auckland Waitakere's major failing was their high turnover rate which their opponents quickly converted into points.

"We did have it but that's netball, it doesn't matter what the score is at half-time, it is when the final whistle blows," Tutaia said. "We obviously didn't take it to them as hard as we could have. "

Although it was disappointing to have lost when they should have won, Tutaia pointed out that her side have one of the youngest attacking combinations in the competition.

The championships give Tutaia a break from franchise negotiations, which are not allowed during the tournament, but there is no escaping the fact that she will be expected to start against Australia in less than a month.

"It doesn't freak me out. I was ready for that a long time ago. I have played with Irene [van Dyk] before, it is just a pass, catch and shoot game."

In other matches yesterday, Wellington came close to upsetting defending champions North, losing 49-39.

In a scrappy encounter, the Wellingtonians led 15-13 at the first break. North edged ahead in the second quarter to lead 27-23 but failed to shake their rivals until the last quarter when Temepara George was introduced.

"Defensively I couldn't have asked for more, they just need to work on how they bring the ball through court and finish off," said North coach Melissa Walker.

In other first grade games, a strong start helped Canterbury beat Otago 60-41. Canterbury started with their main lineup and took an early lead. Jade Topia and Shelley Norris combined seamlessly in attack.

Vilimaina Davu also peeled off the high ball into Otago's shooters, which the Canterbury defence brought swiftly through court.

Canterbury made several changes in the second half but it did little to stem their momentum and they waltzed away.

Waikato continued their charge, beating Bay of Plenty 78-18, Eastern beat Counties Manukau 49-33 and Western beat Tasman 55-33.

NATIONAL CHAMPS

Today's double header round at Trusts Stadium

TOP SIX

Canterbury v Auckland Waitakere, 8.45am
Otago v Waikato, 8.45am
North v Southland, 10.30am
Canterbury v Southland, 5.30pm
Otago v Auckland Waitakere, 5.30pm
North v Waikato, 7.15pm

BOTTOM SIX

Eastern v Bay of Plenty, 8.45am
Wellington v Tasman, 10.30am
Counties Manukau v Western, 10.30am
Eastern v Western, 5.30pm
Wellington v Bay of Plenty, 7.15pm
Counties Manukau v Tasman, 7.15pm.