Harcourts piles it on in second half to topple Celtic

Gary Caffell
A blistering second quarter paved the way for Harcourts's commanding 60-33 win over Celtic in their top-of-the table Wairarapa premier one netball clash at the Genesis Recreation Centre on Thursday night.
Celtic were expected to give the defending champions plenty to think about and did so early in the game, taking a 4-1 lead and trailing by just 15-12 at the end of the first quarter.
The next 15 minutes, however, were all Harcourts. They piled on the pressure throughout the court and Celtic seemed mesmerised by the slickness of their passing, the accuracy of their goal shooting and the deftness of their defence.
Harcourts added 16 goals to their tally over that period of play with Celtic managing just one, giving Harcourts a decisive 31-13 halftime advantage.
By that stage then a Harcourts victory was almost a foregone conclusion and while Celtic did lift their effort in the third and fourth quarters they were still outscored, by 16-9 in the third quarter and 13-11 in the fourth.
Outstanding for Harcourts was centre Emma Foote who linked expertly with her supports in attacking situations and picked up a number of tips and interceptions on defence.
Wing attack Carlene Karaitiana was the perfect foil for Foote with her ability to make space for herself and the unflappable Kelly Sargent and Geraldine Carroll combined with their usual efficiency in the shooting circle. Both were prepared to shoot from all angles and their conversion rate was impressive.
Harcourts also benefitted immensely from the clever reading of play at the defensive end of the court by Sarah Brooking and Elena Heggie who not only regularly turned over posssession through well-timed interceptions but were quick to launch dangerous counter attacks.
Celtic had a potential match winner in Hope Phillips in their shooting circle but a combination of tight Harcourts defence and an indifferent service from her midcourt meant that potential was never realised. It was a testimony to her persistence and skill though that she still managed to net some spectacular goals
In what must be a novel circumstance for a premier one match Hope Phillips's mother Katie Phillips partnered her in the shooting role and she was the catalyst to her side's strong first quarter, scoring from wide out on three or four occasions.
There was some nice touches too on attack and defence for Celtic from the hard-working Jamie Reiri and likewise from Jodi Graham but the team as a whole lacked the organisation and tactical astuteness of their opposition, a picture fairly painted by the final scoreline.
Victory left Harcourts as the only unbeaten side in premier one and favourite to top the points table at the end of one complete round of competition games, a distinction which would qualify them to represent Wairarapa in the regional Top Club competition also involving the leading club sides from Wellington, Kapi Mana, Kapiti and Hutt Valley.