Coach looks ahead

Wairarapa coach Marion Tulloch is "slightly disappointed" her team can't do better than seventh in this season's regional superleague netball competition.
They will play off with Hutt Valley club, Manaroa, for seventh and eighth when finals day is held at the Walter Nash Stadium in Porirua on Sunday, a far cry from 12 months ago when they won the inaugural series.
That was always going to be a hard act to follow in 2006, as not only did the number of participating teams increase from eight to 12, but the quality was also enhanced with leading Wellington-based clubs like PIC, St Mary's Old Girls and Wellington East Old Girls plus the Wellington development squad
competing.
And then there was the fact that several members of their championship-winning side were unavailable for Wairarapa this season, meaning that Tulloch and her selection panel had little alternative but to place their faith in many younger players whose lack of experience was always likely to be exposed.
Tulloch is adamant, however, that Wairarapa were still capable of achieving a higher placing than they will end up with.
She points out that at least a couple of narrow losses could easily have been wins but for basic errors being made over the closing stages.
"There were times when wins were there for the taking, but we couldn't quite finish things off," she said. "That was frustrating for everyone?players as much as management."
It has not been all doom and gloom for Wairarapa though, with Tulloch firm in her belief that the younger players, in particular, would have benefited immensely from playing against quality opposition on a regular basis.
"It's given them a good idea of what is required to perform at that level and hopefully it will mean a higher standard of play in our own club competitions," she said.
As to the Manaroa match on Sunday Tulloch said Wairarapa would be going all out to finish their season on a winning note.
She expects to have a full strength squad of 12 on deck for the game and is keen for them to produce their best form of the regional series.