By JULIE ASH in Palmerston North
Competition favourites Netball North and Waikato made it through the opening day of netball's national provincial tournament unscathed, each claiming two wins in a tough double-header round.
In an effort to reduce the tournament by a day, teams were required to front up twice yesterday.
Defending champions Waikato pushed past Otago 52-34 in the morning, but had to work a little harder for their 65-46 win over Canterbury last night.
Netball North downed Canterbury 55-47 early on, then had to pull out all stops to beat neighbours Auckland Waitakere 54-46.
Auckland Waitakere, who just managed to beat Wellington 47-44 in overtime, had the better of their northern rivals throughout most of the match.
North were uncharacteristically flat and as a result trailed Auckland 16-12 at the first-quarter break.
They also suffered a blow early on when veteran goal attack Teresa Tairi was subbed off with a knee strain.
Auckland Waitakere led 28-22 at halftime, but then a North resurgence began.
With young shooter Catherine Latu and Daneka Wipiiti under the hoop, North drew level just before the three-quarter mark.
Auckland Waitakere appeared to run out of steam in the last quarter, handing their opponents a comfortable eight-goal win.
North coach Yvonne Willering admits her side lacked intensity, but did not attribute that to the fact they had played two games.
"We made it difficult for ourselves, especially in that first half where we got quality ball," Willering said.
"They put us under pressure, there is no denying that, but I think we lost the game defensively throughout the court."
Waikato looked like they were going to steamroll Canterbury with their blistering speed through the court. But some impressive defence from the Canterbury trio of Vilmaina Davu, Elizabeth Manu and Anna Galvan kept their side in it.
Trailing 16-13 in the first quarter, Canterbury went one up early in the second, but Waikato surged back. They held a narrow 30-27 lead at halftime. but put in a strong third-quarter performance, extending their advantage to 48-37.
Waikato's lead was never under threat in the final stages as they lived up to their tag as competition favourites.
Coach Nicole Dryden said the two-game schedule was tough.
"We are glad to have the day over."
In today's top-six matches, Otago face North, Waikato play Wellington and Canterbury meet Auckland Waitakere.
* Australian Sue Hawkins has replaced Joan Hodson as coach of the Auckland Diamonds side.
Hawkins, a former Australian goal attack, has coached at the Institute of Sport, the Australian B side and the Queensland Firebirds.
The Diamonds have made the top four just once, in 1999.
Netball: Big guns survive double-header in tough day at the office
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