College overcame University-Albion A 66-57 in the top-of-the-table clash on Saturday and will now face Physed A in their semifinal this weekend. University-Albion A will meet clubmates University-Albion B in the other semifinal.
University-Albion A controlled the first quarter, going on scoring runs to lead 18-16 at the first quarter.
College took control of the second quarter with shooters Talei Pelasio and Ella Mackenzie both shooting at 100%, making them hard to stop.
They helped College win the quarter 18-15 and hold a 34-33 lead at halftime.
The third quarter was also close, with all shooters again accurate.
College went up by three heading into the final quarter, giving them confidence.
They put out another dominant quarter to seal the game by nine goals.
University-Albion B, searching for their first win of the second round, came out firing to beat Physed A 59-43.
University-Albion B had a massive first quarter to shock Physed with a 16-9 lead.
They continued to deliver quality netball, unanswered by Physed, and won all four quarters.
University-Albion B shooters Madison Bailey and Lucy Crawford put in stellar performances, finishing with 89% accuracy.
In the second half of premier A, Physed B beat the Southern Magpies 50-40.
Physed B led from the start and played well as a cohesive unit.
They took a 17-9 lead early.
Southern fought back in the second quarter, reducing the margin to five.
Physed won the next two quarters, thanks to a huge contribution from goal keep Amelia McKeown.
The final game was a clash between St Hilda’s A and South Pac Tāiko. St Hilda’s held on to win 58-57.
With youth playing experience and flair, it was bound to be an exciting clash.
St Hilda’s worked hard early, leading 17-15 in the first quarter.
They punished South Pac for any mistakes and gained great ball — scoring six in a row early in the quarter.
South Pac came back just as strongly to score five goals in a row late in the quarter.
St Hilda’s then put out a dominant second quarter, giving them a seven-goal lead at halftime.
South Pac went on to win the next two quarters, fighting for a win.
However, St Hilda’s were able to stave off the challenge.
In the premier reserve games, St Hilda’s will play Physed B and Southern will play South Pac this weekend.
— Hannah Bisset
