Scoreline flattered us, says coach

Harcourts coach Kelly Sargent was the first to admit her side had been given a wake-up call during their 54-27 win over Sports Arena Carterton in a Netball Wairarapa premier one match played at the Genesis Recreation Centre on Monday night.
Comfortable as the victory would seem on paper Sargent said the final scoreline flattered her unbeaten team who struggled to cope with the tenacity of an opposition defence spearheaded by Renee McDougall.
"Honestly, it was a struggle for us to get any continuity into our play," Sargent said. "They frustrated us by getting in our faces, it never felt like we were really in control at any part of it. No way could we say it was easy, no way at all."
The pick of the Harcourts players was Katie Wyeth whose high workrate made her a prominent figure on both attack and defence.
A dominant last quarter gave St Matthew's Collegiate a 42-23 win over Wairarapa College in the other premier one fixture played on Monday evening.
The two teams were locked together at 7-7 at the end of the first quarter and while St Matthew's had moved out to a four goal lead at halftime it was still anybody's game. From that point on however St Matthew's called the tune with their 13-2 advantage in the last quarter decisive in the end result.
Outstanding for St Matthew's was goal defence Jesse Smith who picked up a number of tips and interceptions. Goalkeep Jorja Bramley was also grand value on defence and Sophie Deans impressed with the accuracy of her shooting.
St Matthew's coach Jo McKenzie was pleased with the manner her team lifted their tempo when it mattered most. "They needed to bring more intensity into their game and, to their credit, they were able to do that," she said.