Netball: College ends long wait to make final

College A has made its first final in more than 10 years after thumping University-Albion A 68-35 in the second semifinal of the premier grade at the weekend.

It will face defending champion Southern Magpies, who defeated Phys Ed A 75-61 in the other semifinal.

College took early control of the match and pulled away from Uni-Albion.

It was clear from the start the talented College line-up was a force to be reckoned with, and Uni-Albion struggled to keep up with the pace of the game.

Uni-Albion had brought the margin back to three goals by quartertime, but College found its rhythm shortly after.

The College defensive end made Uni-Albion's attack painfully slow, and goal keep Maria Hilhorst picked off several intercepts.

College seemed to be the team that wanted the win more, chasing down loose ball, contesting for intercepts and showing good support play.

By halftime, the score had blown out to 35-16 and College stepped it up a notch, but Uni-Albion failed to do the same.

College goal shoot Jamie Hume and goal attack Olivia Bates delivered for their team with accurate shots and offensive rebounds.

Hume was a standout, pulling in any balls her feeders sent into the circle.

College scored 19 goals in the third quarter compared to Uni-Albion's seven, and it was an opportunity for it to make changes.

Coach Lauren Piebenga cleared the bench, giving all of the team members a taste of finals netball.

Uni-Albion introduced goal keep Rose Spence into the game but, although she picked up some intercepts, it was not enough to stop College's flow.

Piebenga said it was great to get all of the team out on court to be a part of the win.

''They all did their jobs really well.''

She said College had not made the final in more than 10 years and looked forward to next week.

The playoff between South Otago High School and Southern Tui for fifth and sixth places has been rescheduled.

By Bridget Rutherford. 

 

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