Sargent goes into bat for Wyeth

Harcourts coach Kelly Sargent will be "very disappointed" if her centre Katie Wyeth does not make one of the two Wellington senior representative netball teams to be named after trials in Wellington on Sunday.
Wyeth has made a huge impression for Harcourts both in Wairarapa premier one play and in the regional superleague this season and Sargent said it would be an injustice if she was overlooked
"I'm not being parochial, anybody who has seen us play will tell you how dominating Katie has been, "Sargent said. "It doesn't matter who she has come up against, she has met every challenge head on and did the business."
Sargent considers Wyeth's versatility to be an added string to her bow as she is not only capable of starring at centre but also at wing defence or wing attack.
"I don't care who they put up against Katie at the trials, she will compare well with anyone," Sargent said.
Before Sunday's trials, however, Wyeth will be a key member of the Harcourts side hosting competition favourites PIC 1 in a regional superleague premier division match at the Genesis Recreation Centre in Masterton on Saturday.
PIC 1 were always going to be a tough nut for Harcourts to crack and news they will have Pulse Trans Tasman Trophy players, defender Bessie Manu and mid-courter Ngarama Milner-Olson, in Saturday's line-up makes them even tougher. Superleague rules allow for teams to have two Pulse players in their teams but Sargent said Harcourts was never given the opportunity to be part of the deal.
"I don't think they ever though we'd make the top grade so they forgot about us," she said.
Sargent expects PIC 1 to play their usual fast and physical style of netball and to entertain what should be a big crowd with their athleticism.
"They love going for the glory intercepts, any loose passes at all and they'll be on to them like a flash," she said.
Sargent is optimistic of Harcourts being able to field a full strength side. She herself has been battling a knee injury but will have it strapped and take the court while wing attack Carlene Karaitiana has a recurring neck injury. The game plan for Harcourts will revolve around retaining possession and staying patient in the face of what is sure to be aggressive defence.
"We need to keep our cool, to not let them get into our heads," Sargent said.