Uphill battle tipped for Carterton Red

Pity Carterton Red when two second round matches in Netball Wairarapa's premier one competition are played at the Colombo Road courts in Masterton tomorrow
The newcomers to the premier grade shaped up promisingly enough in their 10-point loss to Wairarapa College last weekend but they have a task of much greater magnitude tomorrow, playing the powerful Harcourts side fresh off a massive 71-17 victory over Salute Greytown.
It's difficult to imagine Carterton Red testing Harcourts in any area of play although the latter-remarkably ,considering the final scoreline- were not over-enthused with their consistency in the shooting circle last weekend.
In Kelly Sargent, Hope Phillips and Michelle Teahan they have a trio of proven performers there and you can assume any deficiencies will be quickly rectified.
The other premier one match tomorrow sees Salute Greytown meeting Wairarapa College A and despite the hefty loss they incurred last weekend Greytown will be no push overs..
They were clearly outgunned by Harcourts but will find movement of the ball through the court much easier on this occasion.
The students should win but the margin of victory could well be less then double figures
The two premier one games at the Genesis Recreation Centre on Monday night should be crackers.
Kuranui College will be cock-a-hoop after their first-ever win over St Matthew's Collegiate at the top level last weekend but they will need to have their feet firmly back on the ground to stave off a Sports Arena Carterton team who kicked off with a hard-fought draw against Gladstone All Blacks.
The Carterton side has a fair degree of experience to call on and will be quick to punish any sign of complacency on Kuranui's part.
First round results would suggest Gladstone All Blacks should dominate St Matthew's Collegiate but here too it might pay to soften that assessment on the basis that the students are pretty much a new-look side and under the astute guidance of Jo McKenzie are sure to improve as the season progresses.