Harcourts are aiming for a competitive performance in their regional superleague division one netball match with PIC 1 at the Genesis Recreation Centre in Masterton tomorrow.
Coach Kelly Sargent concedes a victory over a a powerful PIC side strengthened even by the addition of two Pulse players is "very unlikely "
but she says her side are determined to make their presence felt.
"It's a home game and we want to give our supporters something to remember," she said. "We know how good they (PIC) are but we intend to make them work hard for everything they get, it's not going to be a walkover".
Sargent says the big test for Harcourts will revolve around how they cope with PICs physical style of play, both on attack and defence and she was heartened by the resolve they displayed in their 20 goal loss to St Mary's Old Girls last weekend. It was only in the last quarter of that game where SMOG took control and when you consider Harcourts missed something like 26 shots at goal the final scoreline could well have been a lot closer than what it was.
Particularly pleasing for Sargent was the manner in which Harcourts moved the ball through the midcourt and she says they will need to show the same authority tomorrow as PIC are a side always looking for the intercept
"They read the play really well and maybe we'll have to be more patient and deliberate with our passing in this game," she said. "But in the end it's all about focusing on how we want to play, not about what they are likely to do.".
Sargent herself has been battling a knee injury which forced her to leave the court against SMOG but she is "very likely" to play tomorrow.
However, doubts remain over the fitness of reliable wing attack Carlene Karaitiana, who withdrew at the eleventh hour last weekend because of a neck injury and is still having problems with it.
