Netball: Opportunity to mimic foothold in Super 6 incline

Outkast goal keep Amanda Palmer (with ball) in action against Havelock North. Photo / Warren Buckland

Outkast are "super excited" to be playing at the highest level of netball in Hawke's Bay, according to Amanda Palmer.

It stems from their goal last year to graduate to Super 6 after coming up shy in the pre-season qualifying tournament and then failing to make the most of a promotion-relegation opportunity.

"This year we're really enjoying the challenge of the teams up there," Palmer says of the 2015 Saturday premier grade champions who prevailed, despite missing the services of injured wing attack Vanna Sullivan, with six "beautifully skilled girls".

Outkast, Palmer says, were a little shaky when this season started but suspects their combinations are beginning to gel now and their reservoir of confidence is rising to warrant promotion.

Captain/coach Jeda Bartlett, Sullivan, Rakei Huata and herself form the nucleus of experience of the five who laid down the foundation last year.

"We've had a few young ones who have come on board this year, which is quite exciting as well," she says, mindful they are in the throes of coming to terms with the pressure of close games against more court savvy opponents.

Once they find equity in striving for that balance, Palmer feels, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

"Outkast have several young ones who have so much energy and so much explosiveness but they just need the head on them so I can teach them and bring them up in the game," she says but aware she needs to remind herself occasionally she isn't a spring chook any more.

Having helped shore the defence of perennial winners Otane Thirsty Whale from 2004-08, she is quite adept at gauging the strength of the other five campaigners. The game against HHSOG Huias tomorrow is another opportunity to mimic a foothold on the indoor-climbing Super 6 incline.

"They were in the final last year so they'll be extremely competitive so it'll be a really good test for us to try to step up to another level to bring our best game against them."

She echoes the sentiments of the other four hopefuls that going up first up against Otane isn't on their wish list.

"You wouldn't want to go up in the semifinals against Otane because you're going to be knocked out - that's pretty much the presumption.

"Ideally we want to make it to the final but we'd like to take the easy road but it won't be easy, of course."

Palmer reckons the juggernauts aside "anyone can beat anyone" on their day.

All In Elusive, she says, have talent all the way down to the bench with an elite coach, Charissa Barham, at the helm.

"They were always going to be a team to beat ... we almost lost to them last week but I feel like there isn't a massive talent gap between most teams," she says, dispelling suggestions Otane may be stacked with the cream of the province.

Super 6 draws:

For the Hawke's Bay Netball premier matches tomorrow at the Pettigrew-Green Arena, Taradale, from 7.15pm:

* PGA 1: Hastings High School Old Girls Proactive Huias v Outkast Optimise Physio.
Umpires: H Lewis & K Ives.

* PGA 2: All In Elusive v Otane Thirsty Whale.
Umpires: N Corbett & D Thomas.

* PGA 3: Havelock North Jazz Apples Kauri v Central Sports Vet Services HB.
Umpires: K Jones & T Gardiner.

Reserves officials: A Waretini, J Varcoe.