Netball: St Hilda's too good in school tourney

Columba College centre Lily Cunningham looks for a free team-mate during the Otago secondary...
Columba College centre Lily Cunningham looks for a free team-mate during the Otago secondary schools netball tournament at the Edgar Centre yesterday. St Hilda's wing attack Abbey Johnston looks on.PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
An explosive start to the middle quarters ensured St Hilda's Collegiate School emerged victorious in the Otago secondary schools netball tournament at the Edgar Centre yesterday.

St Hilda's went through the tournament unbeaten, overcoming Columba College 38-14 in the final of the senior A section.

Columba went goal for goal early in the first quarter with St Hilda's before St Hilda's edged to a 7-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.

But St Hilda's turned up the heat in the second quarter, scoring four unanswered goals to open the second period, while applying midcourt pressure to force turnovers, most notably through centre Kate Heffernan and wing defence Meg Timu.

St Hilda goal shoot Georgia Heffernan enjoyed good service from the midcourt and also had an able foil in goal attack Mikayla Thorn who created space for her shooting partner.

St Hilda's took an 18-8 lead into the halftime break, and piled on another 10 goals in the third quarter - including three unanswered goals at the start of the quarter - to Columba's four.

St Hilda's delivery from its defence through to attack was slick, with barely a pause in some instances as the ball reached Georgia Heffernan for one of her trademark long shots.

A 28-12 lead at the end of the third quarter was extended to 38-14 by the time the final whistle blew.

Columba had a tough task against a team which plays in the women's premier grade, although centre Lily Cunningham and wing attack Kenzie Findlay worked hard throughout.

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