St Hilda’s dominant right to the end

The St Hilda’s Collegiate team celebrates after winning the Otago-Southland secondary schools senior netball title in Invercargill yesterday. Back row (from left): Olivia Buchanan-Letts, Molly Marsh, Annie Timu, Danielle Willsman, Emma McKay, Brooke Callon, Sofie Bain. Front: Gemma Rowcroft, Sara Harding, Elora Peters, Grace Southby. PHOTO: KAREN PASCO

Two impressive quarters through the middle proved decisive as it claimed the Otago-Southland secondary schools senior netball title in Invercargill.

It beat Southland Girls’ High School 32-20 in yesterday’s final, putting on a classy display.

Aside from a one-goal victory over Otago Girls’ High School during the pool stages, it was the only time a team got within 20 goals of St Hilda’s over the three-day tournament.

Its defence was swarming through the middle two quarters of the final.

After taking a 9-6 lead, St Hilda’s forced the Southland Girls’ attack into multiple mistakes.

It used that turnover ball effectively, looking after possession and finding its shooters well.

The lead grew to 15-6 before Southland Girls’ hit back.

By halftime it became 19-10, before a 6-1 run to start to third quarter cemented St Hilda’s dominance even further.

Southland began to create its own turnover opportunities in the fourth quarter.

But it was too late to mount a comeback.

Verdon College beat Gore High School 40-34 to win the B grade title.

In the C grade final, Northern Southland beat Kaikorai Valley College 39-12.