Netball: Williams the bolter in Silver Ferns squad

Waikato defender Casey Williams was the bolter in the 18-strong New Zealand netball squad announced last night.

The 19-year-old student had an outstanding season with the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic in the National Bank Cup and for Waikato, who successfully defended their national provincial championship title in Palmerston North last night.

Williams, along with Silver Ferns squad member Laura Langman, have also been named in the New Zealand under-21 youth World Cup squad.

Former Silver Ferns squad member and Waikato midcourter Amigene Metcalfe has been recalled to the New Zealand squad after the birth of her daughter.

Belinda Colling and Donna Loffhagen have also both been named in the squad following confirmation of their availability earlier this week.

All the 2004 Silver Fern squad members have been retained except for Tania Dalton, who is due to have a second baby in November.

The Silver Ferns squad will be reduced to 12 on Wednesday for the three-test series against Australia in November.

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken said she was happy to have been able to offer an additional two players the opportunity to be part of the Silver Ferns squad.

"It's exciting to see the quality of talent coming through," Aitken said.

"Our high performance structure is working to bring through the next tier of young talented players. We need players to be continually pushing to make these elite squads."

Meanwhile, Waikato easily defended their national title tonight, trouncing Netball North 62-43.

Waikato, who beat the same opponents 67-61 in last year's final, were a class above every team at the week-long tournament, beating all their opponents by 15 goals or more.

Waikato had the final won in the first quarter, as North succumbed to a horror run of unforced errors which allowed their opponents to storm to a 23-8 lead.

North made three changes at the break but that was to little avail as they struggled to stem the flow into deadly Waikato shooter Irene van Dyk.

North had no answer to Waikato's speed and energy through court and were often let down by their shooters, who failed to pocket crucial shots.

Waikato defenders Williams, Joline Henry and Laura Langman secured their side plenty of ball which was more often than not converted at the other end.

Waikato extended their lead to 40-21 at halftime and as a result North coach Yvonne Willering made a further four changes.

Although North won the third quarter 12-8, it only made a small dent in Waikato's lead.

Waikato made their only change of the match in the final quarter, introducing Chantelle Ngaia into goal attack.

North showed some good patches in the final quarter but it was too late as Waikato clinched their fourth national provincial title in six years.

North captain Temepara Clark said her side were extremely disappointed with their start.

"That is what sets the tone," Clark said.

"I don't know if it was nerves, I don't know what it was but we just let it slip away."

Waikato coach Nicole Dryden acknowledged the performance of Williams.

"I don't normally single anyone out, it has been a cool week, everyone has contributed, but I think Casey Williams has been outstanding."

New Zealand netball squads:

New Zealand Silver Ferns squad (18 players):

Temepara Clark (North), Belinda Colling (Canterbury), Vilimaina Davu (Canterbury), Leana du Plooy (Waikato), Victoria Edward (Auckland Waitakere), Adine Harper (Southland), Joline Henry (Waikato), Laura Langman (Waikato), Donna Loffhagen (Southland), Amigene Metcalfe (Waikato), Angela Mitchell (Otago), Lesley Nicol (Southland), Anna Rowberry* (Auckland Diamonds), Sheryl Scanlan (North), Anna Scarlett (Otago), Jodi Te Huna (Canterbury), Casey Williams (Waikato), Irene van Dyk (Waikato)

New Zealand A squad (up to 10 players):

Stephanie Bond (Otago), Jenny Ferguson (Southern Sting), Krystal Feterika-Opetaia (Auckland/Waitakere), Anna Galvan (Canterbury), Kimberley Horton (North), Katie Ritchie* (Capital Shakers), Anna Senio (Bay of Plenty), Alison Shanks (Otago) Debbie White (Otago), Angelina Yates (North)

New Zealand under-21 squad (up to 17 players):

Liana Barrett-Chase (Western), Katarina Cooper (Western), Katrina Grant (Auckland Waitakere), Debbie Hill (Otago), Laura Langman (Waikato), Emma McGeorge (Otago 2), Elizabeth Manu (Canterbury), Amenda Payne (Auckland Waitakere), Grace Rasmussen (Auckland Waitakere U19), Rachel Rasmussen (Auckland Waitakere), Te Huinga Reo Selby Rickit (Western), Brigette Tapene (Auckland Waitakere), Anna Thompson (Canterbury), Wendy Telfer (Southland), Jessica Tuki (Western), Maria Tutaia (Auckland Waitakere), Casey Williams (Waikato)

*pending medical/physical clearance post injury


- NZPA