Experience carried Valley Gold to the premier netball title on Saturday when it came from behind to beat St Kevin’s College A 40-34.
St Kevin’s took a little time in the first quarter missing vital shots to set them up.
Both teams produced consistent netball in the second quarter, finishing off their possession with goals, and St Kevin’s was ahead 21-20 at halftime.
In the third quarter, St Kevin’s got on a roll and looked like it only had to score off its own centre passes to take the title.
It built on its one-goal halftime lead to take the score to 31-25 after the third quarter.
But Valley Gold came storming home as it outplayed the opposition and won the final quarter 15-3, which was enough to win the game.
The player to stand out for Valley Gold was Nicky Wallace, who had a low-key beginning to the game but came alive in the fourth quarter.
She won valuable ball and St Kevin’s could not get its hands on it.
The midcourt for St Kevin’s, directed by Gemma Dowling, was once again a strong unit, while Valley’s Kara Cox, although often under pressure, shot well, especially in the final quarter.
In other results in the premier grade, Waitaki Girls’ Lightning Strike beat Waitaki Girls’ Wildfire 45-40, Maheno beat Athletic 34-17 and Twizel beat Valley Silver 39-23.
