By JULIE ASH
The national provincial championships is all set for the final preliminary games. Waikato, Netball North and Auckland Waitakere look like sure bets to advance but which three teams will join them in the play-offs?
Pool A:
Waikato coach Nicole Dryden says her side are expecting to feel the full force of Southland tomorrow afternoon.
Waikato made light work of first-round opponents Tasman last weekend with a 70-22 win.
But it's "game on" this week when the defending champions line up against Southland and Wellington.
Southland will be disappointed with their seven-goal loss to Wellington last weekend and will need to beat Waikato and Tasman to remain in contention for national provincial supremacy.
And even then two wins might not be enough. If two teams are tied on points at the end of pool play, then the result of the game between the teams decides the winner.
If three teams are tied, which could happen in Pool A if Waikato, Wellington and Southland all drop a game, the goal average of the pool will decide the placings.
Dryden said Wellington would be tough, but Southland would be tougher.
"It's a must-win for Southland. They will be wanting to put their entire game together, but so will we."
Southland's strength lies in their midcourt with Silver Ferns Adine Harper and Lesley Nicol. They are also relatively strong in defence with Sting players Sarah Barnes and Kylie Young, but their shooting lineup, without Donna Loffhagen who has decided to sit out the championship, is a little unknown.
Wellington have six players from the Shakers franchise, and are probably more settled throughout the whole court than Southland.
Waikato had a pre-season hit-out against Wellington and Dryden estimated they came out roughly nine goals ahead "which is not a lot".
"We are expecting them to be fast, solid in defence, and tough," Dryden said.
Waikato are the strongest team on paper but they have in the past fallen into the trap of trying to play too fast and forcing too many stressed balls in to shooter Irene van Dyk.
"The thing you learn from previous games and previous competitions is the errors you make," Dryden said.
"You have to have the determination not to repeat those and that is the only measure of stepping up, I think."
How they stand
Points: Waikato 4, Wellington 4, Southland 0, Tasman 0.
Tomorrow: Waikato v Southland, 4pm; Tasman v Wellington, 6.30pm.
Sunday: Waikato v Wellington, 10am; Southland v Tasman, 12.30pm.
Matches at: Porirua Police College gym.
* * *
Pool B:
Netball North are expected to power through their final two preliminary games but, like any good coach, Yvonne Willering is not short on ideas to keep her team ticking along.
Netball North trounced Counties Manukau 80-34 in their opening match and are expected to do the same to Western tomorrow and possibly even Otago on Sunday.
To ensure her star-studded lineup, which includes current Silver Ferns Temepara Clark and Sheryl Scanlan, doesn't become complacent, Willering has hauled in some tougher opponents, including the odd men's team, to keep her players on their toes.
"We are having some tough encounters in practice sessions so we are not just relying on these [preliminary] games," she said. "Some of our trainings have been quite realistic as well."
While some would question the point of such one-sided encounters, Willering said she did not have a problem with the championship format.
"I quite like the idea of a progressive buildup, to be fair. You have to appreciate we have had limited time together so it is nice to be able to do it step by step.
"Obviously with two newcomers to the team [Peti Ihaka and Catherine Latu], it is a question of getting them some court time so that they can get some experience.
"So one eye is very much on the week-long competition in that we don't really want to rely on the one line-up for that whole week."
Willering said Netball North were familiar with Otago but knew little about the Western side.
"You can never take teams lightly, especially the ones that haven't, perhaps, got the expectations of other teams.
"Otago are known to us more and a lot of their players have experienced the franchise competition so I expect them to be tougher."
The young Otago side finished a creditable fifth in last year's competition. The team, renown for gritty determination and imposing defence, will be boosted with the return of Silver Fern Anna Scarlett, who sat out last year's championships due to volleyball commitments.
How they stand
Points: Netball North 4, Otago 4, Western 0, Counties Manukau 0.
Tomorrow: Netball North v Western (2pm); Counties Manukau v Otago (4pm).
Sunday: Western v Counties Manukau (11am); Netball North v Otago (1pm).
Matches at: Allan Brewster Centre in Papatoetoe.
* * *
Pool C:
Auckland Waitakere coach Judy Weston is a fan of the old cliche "taking it one game at a time".
And that is exactly the approach her side need to take heading into their final two preliminary games.
Auckland Waitakere demolished Bay of Plenty 75-42 last weekend and are expected to rack up another big win over Eastern tomorrow.
Their last pool match is against Canterbury and should ultimately determine who finishes top of the pool.
While Auckland Waitakere are no doubt eager for their battle against the Cantabs, a team they beat twice last season, Weston is not allowing her side to think any further ahead than tomorrow's game.
"We should go through and have that clash against Canterbury, but at the moment we are taking one game at a time.
"I think each game you just have to go out there and concentrate on your own sort of thing." Auckland Waitakere were impressive in their opening match against the Bay.
Although Bay of Plenty's defence was weak, Auckland Waitakere had a nice flow through the court and on occasions made it all look very easy. The shooting performance of Shelly Norris was a big factor in the victory.
Norris, a former New Zealand basketball representative, landed an impressive 38 goals from 44 attempts and was equally at home working with any of Auckland's three goal attacks (Juanita Nilsen, Brigette Tapene and Maria Tutaia).
Against Canterbury's bruising duo of Vilimaina Davu and Anna Galvan, life will be a little more difficult for Norris this weekend.
But provided her goal attack shares the workload, her midcourt players provide her with plenty of "off loading" options and, most importantly, she retains her accuracy under the hoop, then Norris could get Auckland Waitakere home.
With the sides evenly matched in the midcourt, another key area for Auckland will be their defence.
They must shut down Silver Fern shooter Jodi Te Huna.
How they stand
Points: Auckland Waitakere 4, Canterbury 4, Eastern 0, Bay of Plenty 0.
Tomorrow: Auckland Waitakere v Eastern, 2pm; Bay of Plenty v Canterbury, 4pm.
Sunday: Auckland Waitakere v Canterbury, 1pm; Eastern v Bay of Plenty, 3pm.
Matches at: Tauranga.
Netball: All at stake this weekend
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