Columba too good for St Hilda’s in battle of schools

The premier school rivalry between St Hilda’s and Columba resulted in Columba coming out on top 50-38 on Saturday.

It was a 12-goal win in the end but it was a much closer until the third quarter.

Scores were level after the first quarter and Columba held a one-goal lead at halftime — it was looking like a nail-biter.

Columba’s on-court connections, experience and composure of Millie Mackenzie (wing attack) and Lucy Morrison (goal shoot) helped them push out to a five-goal lead at three-quarter time.

Columba then dominated the last quarter, punishing St Hilda’s for any errors.

University-Albion B remain in the top four after beating the Southern Magpies 49-47.

Uni-Albion B were consistently in front, forcing the Magpies to play-catch up netball.

They held on to a four-goal lead at halftime, before pushing out to a six-goal lead at the three-quarter mark.

A late surge from Southern gave them hope of stealing victory but they fell just short.

College A remained unbeaten after finishing strongly in a 60-42 win over Physed B.

Physed B were up by two goals at the first-quarter break, starting very well and showing good connections on court.

College then came out of the break all guns blazing, putting on a massive quarter to score 17 goals to Physed B’s five and lead 25-15.

College continued this dominance for the rest of the game, as they have all season.

A revitalised Uni-Albion A team also had a dominant win over Physed A, 67-36.

Uni-Albion A benefited from the return of Southern Blast players Ella Southby, Grace Southby, Laura Balmer and Emilie Nicholson.

A few three-goal runs in the first quarter had Uni-Albion A in front by nine at the first break.

That was not completely out of reach for Physed A but any hope of a fightback was quickly snuffed out.

Uni-Albion A capitalised on every turnover they could get, surging to a 14-goal lead at halftime and a 24-goal lead after three quarters, before finishing off with a flourish.

— Hannah Bisset