School A narrowly came out the winner of a top-of-the-table clash with Black Gold in the South Otago club competition on Saturday.
Strong body-on-body marking by School A disrupted Black Gold's play at first, but with the calm head of Mona Waikato leading the way, Black Gold resumed normal service.
Hayley Beveridge was a steady influence for School in the centre. At the other end, School's Paris Skipper and Amber Mowat continued to work well as a shooting team.
Black Gold led 7-6 after the first quarter.
Fast court play resulted in errors at the both ends in the second quarter.
School defensive trio of Kaya Laban, Brooke Storer and Ella-Rose Lawrence continued to put pressure on the Black Gold attack. A top of the circle shot by Mowat steadied School A nerves. Black Gold held the lead 13-10 at halftime.
As the third quarter started, Black Gold continued to put pressure on School, but Maddie Deacon (School), now shooting, sank her first, helping to steady her nerves.
Irie Rickus (School) was pinpoint accurate with her feeds into the circle helping School to come closer.
Black Gold defender Bridget Holgate continued to give School a headache taking some sweet two handed intercepts. Overall, this quarter was scrappy and both teams made a lot of unforced errors, but with Skipper sinking some great shots from under the hoop, the score was tied up 16-16.
Both teams started the last quarter hungry for the win and to secure top spot.
School was up to absorbing the pressure and continued to make every shot count, eventually winning 23-18.
Amy Morrison was the best for Black Gold while Beveridge played well for School.
