Final only in this season's Super 8 netball
Six wins or better ... that's the safest equation for teams wanting to make Hawke's Bay's Super 8 club netball final.
The seven-round round robin segment of the competition begins tomorrow night in Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena and Hawke's Bay Netball general manager Tina Arlidge told teams this week there won't be any semifinals this year.
"With Covid19 contributing to a shorter season this year the top two after the round robin will qualify for our September 11 final," Arlidge explained.
"Every game is a big game and it should contribute to a tight competition," Arlidge said.
Seedings for the round robin were determined by the three weeks of pool play before last week's rest weekend in the competition. Three games, all starting at 6.45pm, will be played tomorrow night and two in particular, Vet Services Central Sports up against BM Accounting HHOG Huia and Optimise Physio Outkast Sports against Tremains All In Elusive have the potential to be close affairs.
The losers of these two matches are likely to miss out on a final berth. Tomporrow night's other match will see Thirsty Whale Otane Force start as hot favourites against House of Travel Havelock North Kauri.
Defending champions Napier Girls' High School played Hastings Girls' High School at Sacred Heart College last night because their school ball is being staged tomorow night. NGHS won the match 63-38.
While coach Charissa Barham made numerous changes throughout the match the output remained consistent. NGHS won the first quarter 16-11, the second 16-7, the third 15-10 and the fourth 16-10.
Midcourters Sahria Adams and Parris Petera impressed with their smart reads of play. Barham also gave senior B team centre Olivia Lee, a Year 11 student, game time with an eye to the future.
"We have a strong senior B team too and it's important we keep both teams connected," Barham added.
Shooter Galilee Hiko was again consistent for HGHS, One of last year's defenders, Kahlia Awa, shone in her midcourt role as did Luatolu Semisi.
