It wasn't until the last quarter that St Matthew's Collegiate snuffed out a brave Carterton Red challenge 45-29 in their Netball Wairarapa premier one match played at the Genesis Recreation Centre in Masterton on Monday night.
The competitiveness of Carterton Red, who are yet to secure a win in premier one
play, impressed St Matthew's coach Jo McKenzie, who said her team had struggled to take a four goal advantage going into the final 15 minutes of play. "They (Carterton Red) were no pushovers, they made it tougher for us than the score would suggest," she said.
Wing attack Shannon Sim had a strong game for St Matthew's as did centre Paige Drummond while the defensive combination of Jesse Smith and Jayne Kirsten was again very effective. Kuranui College consolidated their second place behind Harcourts on the points table with a 56-39 win over Salute Greytown, a team to whom they had lost earlier in the season. The two sides were locked together at 11-1 at the end of the quarter and Kuranui were in front by just two at halftime.
The halftime message from Kuranui coach Lynda Strange was for her side to move the ball quicker so as make better use of their fitness and they responded well, pulling away for what in the end was a comfortable win.
Wing defence Stephanie Ross and goal attack Alana Strange both had fine games for Kuranui as did Megan Roberts.
