Indoor netball moves to open premier grade championship

Jess Shed at GA for NW Rototuna Suburbs Premier secures the ball. Photo / Supplied

FTNC Premier 55 v New World Rototuna Suburbs Premier Reserves 34
New World Rototuna Suburbs Premier 67 v Verdettes Marist Old Girls 42
One game deferred game to either 20 or 24 July 2017: Uni Prem v FTNC Premier Reserve.

In the first week of the Trust Waikato Hamilton City Netball Centre indoor open premier grade championship round only two games were held as scheduled with the remaining game to be held over the next week or so to accommodate players and umpires away at various tournaments.

In the game between FTNC Premier and New World Rototuna Suburbs Premier Reserve it started slow and even with some accurate phases of play by both teams.
But FTNC Premier had a massive second quarter due somewhat to errors by the Suburbs Premier Reserve team to lead at half time 33 goals to 17. The remaining two quarters were again closer but the damage had been done. The final score was 55 goals to 34.

For FTNC Premier, Katie Damsteegt at goal shoot had a great game and she provided consistency and a calm presence in the shooting circle.

Teri Wathen-Smith a new player to FTNC from St Paul's provided an exciting new option to the centre position late in the game. For Suburbs Premier Reserve it was a completely new attacking combination due to players being injured or not available. The younger players in the team did an awesome job and regular goal keep Tauser Ashley playing an outstanding game at goal shoot showing skill and versatility.

The game between New World Rototuna Suburbs Premier and Verdettes Marist Old Girls was reasonably even except that there was a really big final quarter. Suburbs Premier led by 34 goals to 23 at half time and the final score was 67 goals to 42. This game was strongly contested by both teams. Suburbs Premier won every quarter and applied a lot of through court pressure resulting in turnover ball for the team.

Subtle changes were made each quarter to the line-up of players with nine players taking the court over the course of the game. In contrast Verdettes Marist Old Girls in the main stuck with the starting seven with only one substitution in the final quarter.

For Old Girls, their best quarter was the third with them only losing this by three goals.

The final game between Uni Premier and FTNC Premier Reserve who have been automatically promoted into the competition will be held prior to week 2 games on 27 July.