Netball: Poor finishing proves costly for Hawke's Bay

Charissa Barham

Poor finishing proved costly for Hawke's Bay in one of their targeted games at the national netball championships in Wellington yesterday.

"We played some of our best netball of the tournament but didn't convert enough shots and we were pinged out of the game," Hastings Pak 'N Save Hawke's Bay coach Charissa Barham said after last night's 56-43 loss to a Wanganui team her troops had beaten earlier this month.

Her shooters converted 64 per cent of their 67 shots. In sharp contrast, the Wanganui shooters sunk 97 per cent of their 58 attempts.

"We didn't have a lot of luck with the umpires. When this happens you have to adapt consistently and we didn't," Barham said.

She was surprised promising Hastings Girls' High School defender Olivia Macaulay received a warning.

Earlier yesterday Hawke's Bay beat Hutt Valley 43-38, the Bay's only win in four games to date. Former Silver Fern Katarina Cooper was crook so Barham replaced her after the first quarter.

"It was a bit messy but we were always in front," Barham said.

One of the team's late replacements, Abby Breakwell, performed well in the wing attack and centre positions. Experienced midcourter Becky Kupa was her usual consistent self while Rhiarna Ferris was full of authority in the wing defence and goal keep positions.

Hawke's Bay played four games within 26 hours. Barham was happy to report their only game today was scheduled for 3pm against opponents which were to be determined late last night.

Hawke's Bay travelled south aiming to finish in top eight but their Wanganui loss has placed them in the 13th-17th playoffs.