Lynx face must-win netball match

The pressure will be on Carterton New World Lynx when they meet Makoura College in a Netball Wairarapa premier one match at the Colombo Road courts in Masterton tomorrow.

A win will guarantee Lynx a place in the semifinals which will be played next weekend while a loss will see them join the category of also-rans.

Makoura College, too, have plenty to play for in that while they sit third-equal with Wairarapa College on 13 points, two ahead of Lynx, their semifinal spot is also in jeopardy.

As is, for that matter, the spot of Wairarapa College who finish their round-robin play with a match against unbeaten Harcourts and are hardly likely to improve their points position.

With the maximum 18 points, Harcourts are already through to the top four and second-placed Carterton New World Legends have booked their place in the semis as well with 15.

The last time Lynx and Makoura College met it was a battle royal with the students securing a three-goal victory.

Lynx coach Sandy Biel anticipates another close, tense encounter and while she stops short of predicting a reversal of that previous result, she does believe her side are capable of turning the tables.

"Yes, I do think a win is achievable but the two sides are so even you have to think it could go either way," she said.

The fact college sides tend to rely on speed and youth to take the steam out of their older opposition is not lost on Biel who says a strong defensive effort will be of paramount importance to Lynx.

To this end they are fortunate to have three proven performers in Rebecca Buick, Te Ata Phillips and Kate Campbell.

"We need to upset their rhythm, to stop them getting any consistent flow into their game," Biel said.

In other premier one games tomorrow, Pioneer Blue will be aiming to end their season by claiming the scalp of the higher-ranked Carterton New World Legends.

St Matthew's Collegiate should have the edge on Baywide Gladstone and, as said previously, Harcourts should prove too strong for Wairarapa College.