Netball: Sudden-death clash for Otago against Western

Win against Western tonight and Otago will keep its title prospects alive - lose, and it will set up camp in the relegation zone.

That has been the simple equation on Otago coach Georgie Salter's mind this week.

The astute coach has been working on her player's belief in preparation ahead of what is effectively a sudden-death match against Western at the Lion Foundation Arena this evening.

Both sides are on five competition points with one win from three matches.

Waikato is also on five points with an identical win-loss record.

North and Auckland Waitakere lead the competition with nine points from Southland on eight points.

A loss tonight will likely condemn Otago to the play-off for fifth and sixth, the loser of which will play a promotion-relegation match with the winner of the second division, likely to be Canterbury.

"We need to do a whole lot better than last week so what we've worked on is the mental part of the game," Salter said.

Otago lost a crucial match to Southland 50-45 in Invercargill last weekend. While the side rescued a bonus point, its campaign has been left in the balance.

Salter has a relatively young squad with oodles of talent but said the missing link was consistency.

"We've gone over and over what has to be done . . . and what we've done at practice is eliminate as many errors and garbage as we can."

That has meant some pretty repetitive training sessions but Salter hopes it will help her side execute its game plan more accurately.

With Waikato upsetting North last week it has illustrated how close the competition is this year. The difference between winning and losing can come down to a moment's lapse in concentration, and Otago has been guilty of playing patchy netball.

Otago's only win came back in round one over Waikato. Western also beat Waikato and, on paper, looks to have a well-rounded squad.

Southern Steel and Silver Ferns squad member Erika Burgess will head a defence which includes former Otago Rebel Kahurangi Waititi. Central Pulse midcourter Frances Solia will provide the linkages and her Pulse team-mate, Jamilla Gupwell, will shoulder the lion's share of the shooting responsibilities.

Otago will look for an improved performance from former Silver Fern Debbie White who was off her game in the loss to Southland. Defender Hannah Broederlow has been in outstanding form and earlier this week earned a call up to New Zealand A.

Experienced midcourter Phillipa Finch and goal attack Jessica Tuki are also in the New Zealand A side and are key personnel for Otago.

In other division one matches, North plays Auckland Waitakere in a top-of-the-table match and Southland travels to Te Awamutu to play Waikato.

 

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