Netball: Dunedin to play off for fifth-sixth

Dunedin bounced back from Wednesday's quarterfinal exit to beat Hamilton 59-51 in its national championship playoff match in Wellington yesterday.

The result means the 2013-14 champion will play off for fifth-sixth at noon today against Waitakere, which beat Southland 77-53 yesterday.

Dunedin turned around a 13-11 first-quarter deficit to lead 28-25 at halftime and 40-39 at three-quarter time.

It then put in an inspired effort to pull away and ensure Dunedin finishes higher than last year's seventh-placed finish.

''It was such an intense game,'' coach Deb Tasi-Cordtz said.

''The girls kept their cool and came out firing in that last quarter. The first five minutes of the quarter were all us. It was great.''

Goal shoot Jennifer O'Connell was not quite as accurate as she had been earlier in the week, but still landed 42 attempts from 58 attempts.

Goal attack Jamie Hume shot 17 from 20.

Tasi-Cordtz said the win showed her team had learnt from its heavy losses to North Harbour and Wellington.

''We have grown as a team throughout the week. They didn't make the same mistakes again, which was fantastic. I'm really pleased for the girls.''

With fringe Silver Ferns shooter Cathrine Latu, Ferns midcourter Grace Rasmussen and Southern Steel shooter Brooke Leaver at its disposal, Waitakere will pose a stiff challenge for Dunedin.

But Tasi-Cordtz is relishing the task her team, which has an average age of 19, faces.

''We're quite pumped to be attacking Waitakere. It doesn't get any easier. They have got some superstars,'' she said.

North Harbour and Wellington will meet in this afternoon's final, after beating Auckland and defending champion Christchurch respectively, in yesterday's semifinals.

Add a Comment