There were all manner of finals’ permutations heading into Thursday night’s premier netball clash between Waimea Prices Ahurei and arch-rival Jacks OPD.
Prices held a two-point lead over Jacks in the competition, going into the round robin match, with the outcome deciding who would advance directly to the final on Saturday week.
Jacks immediately took bonus points out of the equation, bolting to an 11-0 lead over the defending champions in the opening quarter.
It took Prices more than seven minutes to get on the scoreboard.
Jacks had lost their previous clash by 10 goals, sorely missing goal shoot Harriet Ogilvie who was on a family holiday.
Centre Charlotte Drummond wasn’t playing for the club at that stage either.
The pair made a huge difference as Jacks won all four quarters to cruise home 57-36 at Saxton Stadium last night.
“It is whoever shows up on the night. It is such a relief to be straight into the final. We are definitely going to take our week and prepare for it,” says Harriet.
She prospered from the service supplied by the two Drummonds, Charlotte and Jess.
“It is so nice to play with them. They just catch the ball and let it go. You know where they are and you just trust them so much out there,” declares the former Prices player.
It was a very different story for Prices' attacking circle.
“Our defence was on fire tonight. It is something we have been really working on at training. Chatting away and trying to gel, so it was really awesome to see them getting heaps of turnovers tonight,” enthuses Harriet.
Jacks was eliminated by Nayland College in the semi-final last year and, is glad to be avoiding Nelson College for Girls in next Thursday night’s elimination game.
“We do love to play against them. They are a really nice team but they are schoolgirls so you never know what they are going to bring,” concludes the sharpshooter.
Waimea Prices Ahurei will now face NCG, which beat them in the previous round and was understrength in its 69-52 loss last week.
NCG was too strong for Stoke NBS, winning 70-47 last night, while Richmond F45 had to work hard to subdue Waimea Prices Mā 50-41.
