Change of days key to team’s success

There will be a novel coincidence if Celtic beat Kuranui College in the grand final of Netball Wairarapa's premier one competition at the Genesis Recreation Centre next Monday evening.
It would mean Celtic winning the title after not even being represented in the premier one series last season because of a shortage of players, the exact scenario confronting Masterton Red Star when they were successful against East Coast in the grand final of the Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby competition a few weeks back.
Celtic coach Dayle Clarkson said it was the change to playing all premier one matches at the recreation centre on Thursday or Friday nights this season which prompted her team's return.
"If they were still playing some premier one games on Saturdays I doubt whether we would have made it back," Clarkson said. "A lot of our players have other commitments then, Saturdays are a no go for them.".
That Celtic will start hot favourites in Monday's final is absolutely assured. Since the withdrawl of defending champions Harcourts to contest the regional superleague series they have been unbeaten, and that despite Clarkson often experimenting with different combinations.
Clarkson herself is ,however, mindful that grand finals can often throw up surprise results, as happened two seasons ago when St Matthew's Collegiate toppled the seemingly unbeatable Harcourts in the decider.
That match came after St Matthew's had completed a week of intensive play at the Lower North Island secondary schools championships and, interestingly enough, Kuranui College will be in the same boat on this occasion.
"You can't go into any final thinking it's all done and dusted, you have to be wary of what pressure can do," Clarkson said. "Quite honestly I can't see any reason why we shouldn't win but I wouldn't say we are certainties, that would be asking for trouble."
The Celtic game plan will be similar to what it has been all season with the intent being on producing a performance based around a mix of skill and physical
presence.
Clarkson acknowledges they have often been criticised for what others see as "intimidatory" tactics but she makes no apologies for her team's confrontational style, wisely noting it is the referees who interpret the rules and her players allow them to decide what they can and cannot do.
"The whole emphasis for us is on contesting the ball 100 per cent and if that means taking a few knocks so be it," she said.
Celtic will take a 10-strong squad into the final with Clarkson not deciding on her starting line-up until nearer match time.The squad is: Hope Phillips, Katie Phillips, Perri Tatana, Jamie Reiri, Jodie Graham, Janeen Southey, Naomi Reiri, Danielle Gray, Jasmine Hoani, Trisanna Campbell.