Celtic, Pioneer set for showdown

If bare statistics tell a true story then the Netball Wairarapa premier one match between Celtic and Pioneer Blue at the Colombo Road courts in Masterton should go right down to the wire.
The two teams go into the game with an identical record of six wins and one loss, with defeats at the hands of defending champions and competition leaders Harcourts.
Little separates them in goals, too. Celtic have scored 338 goals and conceded 245, while Pioneer Blue have scored 339 goals and conceded 236. Celtic will still be looking back on their clash with Harcourts last weekend as a lost opportunity.
They were beaten by just five goals and had they converted anything like the bulk of their scoring chances they could well have come up trumps. In the first quarter, especially, they struggled to get the ball through the hoop and that cost them dearly.
Pioneer Blue, on the other hand, warmed up for tomorrow's clash with a 71-25 walloping of Trevs and that will have boosted their confidence. Obviously it will be tougher going for them against a Celtic side who have talented players right through the court, but they seem sure to give about as good as they receive.
Harcourts will be hotly favoured to continue on their winning ways when they come up against Carterton New World Lynx. There will be keen interest in the individual performance of Carterton's Hannah Brewer, who has been selected in the Wellington region under-19 side.
St Matthew's Collegiate and Baywide Gladstone have the same number of competition points and their game should be a close-fought affair. Makoura College will be the underdogs against Wairarapa College A, but are capable of pushing them to the limits. Martinborough might hold too many guns for Trevs.
Silver Ferns legend Sandra Edge was in Masterton recently to provide instruction on midcourt play and centre passes at a coaching clinic attended by 15 local coaches, as well as the Wairarapa under-17 squad.
Edge's understanding of the tactical aspects of the sport was readily apparent and her way of passing on her knowledge was much appreciated. She hopes to return to Masterton in the future.