Netball: Youngster shows the way to national final

Auckland Waitakere's Paula Griffin put a strong case for a place in the New Zealand squad if not the Silver Ferns side to face Australia in last night's semifinal against Southland.

The 18 year-old Massey High School student showed composure beyond her years in the first national championship semifinal which saw Auckland Waitakere win 49-43.

Auckland Waitakere will now square off against Waikato in tonight's final after Waikato beat Canterbury 47-40 in the other semifinal last night.

It is believed it will be the first time Auckland has been in a final since 1999. The last time they won the championships was in 1995 which marked the end of a 10-year reign.

Southland had the better of Auckland Waitakere in the top six playoffs but last night were beaten by a team that made fewer errors.

On a day when Trusts Stadium was plunged into darkness during an afternoon lightning storm, the match got off to a peculiar start when both goals were taken out and measured.

The shooters thought the goals were sitting slightly lower than normal so out came the tape measures.

While both sides' defence through court was stifling, Auckland Waitakere were better at working their way through it and as a result led at every quarter.

Southland struggled, in particular, in the centre position where Auckland Waitakere's instrumental leader Jenny-May Coffin just keep going.

Griffin, teaming up with Silver Fern Maria Tutaia, landed 29 from her 36 attempts at goal giving her an 81 per cent shooting record. Tutaia landed 20 from 30 giving her 67 per cent.

Auckland Waitakere coach Paula Bailey acknowledged the performance of Griffin but said it was her defence she was most proud it.

The side's defenders Anna Scarlett and Stephanie Bond came under attack from North coach Melissa Walker who questioned some of their tactics after her side lost to them.

The pair were a lot more restrained in last night's match, however it did not stop them from picking up plenty of ball from their rivals who were particularly woeful on attack.

"I think they [Scarlett and Bond] took it on board," Bailey said of the criticism.

"They play intelligent netball, they were allowed to play their game by the umpires yesterday [against North], again they went out there tonight and did their stuff and allowed our shooters to shoot."

Auckland Waitakere have improved as the tournament has progressed which is possibly the result of combinations strengthening.

"They are getting good at grinding out the wins," Bailey said.

"They knew they would have to do that against Southland because Southland are stacked with experienced campaigners."

In the other semifinal, Waikato started with their new look shooting combination of Irene van Dyk and Hayley Stockman.

Stockman, who was generally seen at goal shoot for the Flyers during the National Bank Cup, was named the player of national under-21 tournament and has formed a useful relationship with van Dyk.

Waikato led 12-10 at the first quarter break which they extended to 24-19 at halftime. Canterbury came back in the third quarter through some torrid midcourt defence and trailed Waikato by just two going into the final 15 minutes. The Canterbury attack struggled in the opening stages of the final quarter which allowed Waikato to edge further ahead and claim the match.

National championships
Trusts Stadium, Waitakere

Last night's semifinals:
Auckland Waitakere 49 Southland 43
Waikato 47 Canterbury 40

Tonight's final:
Auckland Waitakere v Waikato, 7.30pm