Netball: Manukau put Lunden through hoops

By Suzanne McFadden

Four years ago, Jan Lundon led Auckland to the national netball title, but not without a lot of shouting and grinding of teeth.

Yesterday Lundon was hoarse again as the Manukau team she raised out of netball's wilderness were showing similar traits - good and bad - of that 1995 Auckland team.

A penalty goal in the last five seconds against, of all teams, Auckland yesterday secured Manukau's place as top dog for today's first-grade playoffs in Palmerston North.

But Lundon was nowhere near impressed with her lot.

"On paper we look very good, but theoretically we're not playing like it," she said. "I've got to push them all the time, because they don't believe they are good. Four years down the track, and I haven't learned to give this game away."

It could have been worse. For the third day in a row, Auckland lost by a whisker.

Manukau edged out their neighbours, 58-57, in a seesaw struggle. After an erratic first quarter, Manukau had a five-goal advantage at halftime. But in their most concerted effort of the championships, led by midcourters Nicky Read and Tammy Kupa, Auckland turned the game around in the third quarter, to lead 41-40.

Goal-for-goal in the final spell, it came down to a controversial penalty just before the last whistle which Manukau converted into victory and remained unbeaten in three games this week.

Auckland came out of pool play with just three points - one for each of their narrow losses.

Waikato kept their unblemished record, overthrowing defending champions Otago, 55-44.

Former Silver Fern Jenny-May Coffin, nursing her ongoing shoulder problem, came into the game in the second spell when Waikato were down by three.

Teaming up with Amigene Rangitaawa in the middle of the court, Coffin brought controlled speed to the Waikato attack.

A stream of changes appeared to unsettle the Otago side. The most bizarre was goal-keep Katie Fay moving to goal-shoot in the final spell.

North Harbour remained winless, falling victim to a cocky Manawatu side, 63-51.

The young, green Harbour side made a spirited comeback closing a 12-goal gap to two in the third quarter, but it was tough to compete with the class efforts of Manawatu captain Janine Brown, who led by example from goal-attack and centre.

Wellington have had the toughest week of all, and let a victory over Southland slip out of their grasp last night.

In their 56-62 defeat, Wellington also lost ex-New Zealand defender Sheryl Clarke with an ankle injury.

Today's playoffs will determine the semifinalists, while the other four will have to fight to stay in the top grade next year. Manukau play North Harbour, Auckland meet Manawatu, Waikato come up against Wellington while Southland play Otago.