College underdogs into finals

Wairarapa College earned the right to meet defending champions Harcourts in the grand final of Netball Wairarapa's premier one competition when they scored an impressive 45-37 win over Pioneer Blue at the Colombo Rd courts in Masterton on Saturday.

Pioneer Blue had beaten Wairarapa College by comfortable margins in their previous two clashes this season and went into this semifinal as favourites but this time it was the students who called the tune.

At the end of the first quarter Wairarapa College had a two-goal advantage and by halftime they had increased their advantage to seven. They were nine in front when the third quarter was completed and although Pioneer Blue fought valiantly over the closing stages they were still eight goals in arrears when the final whistle sounded.

It was the determination with which they were prepared to contest for possession which was the highlight of the Wairarapa College effort. Pre-match speculation was they could struggle in that regard but they more than held their own.

There was a pleasing precision too in the manner in which Wairarapa College moved the ball through the midcourt and they managed to pick up several tips and intercepts on defence.

Other results on Saturday were: Premier reserve: Carterton New World Lynx 43, Baywide Gladstone 1 40.

Premier two: Carterton New World Red 26, Kuranui A 14.

Premier three: CLM Elite 21, Makoura development 20; Eketahuna 22, St Matthew's B 21; Wairarapa College Intermediate A 31, Solway A 14.

Premier four: Featherston Black Sox 18, Carterton New World White 17; Martinborough 2 30, Nga Iwi 24; Trevs 2 27, Chanel A 20; Wairarapa College Junior A 23, East Coast 17.

Senior A: Wairarapa College Gold 26, Carterton New World Blue 21; Carterton New World Social 13, St Matthew's Gold 10; Lansdowne 26, Chanel Junior A 9; Hiona 27, Masterton Flames 23.