Kate Lloyd . Photo suppliedMid Canterbury Netball star Kate Lloyd has continued her impressive year on the court after being crowned a world champion yesterday.

Lloyd was part of the New Zealand U-21 team that successfully defended their title as the champions of the Netball World Youth Cup in Botswana.

The Kiwis downed familiar foes Australia in the final, taking out a 60-57 victory in a close match in Gaborone early yesterday (NZ time).

Australia had the better of New Zealand for much of the first half, leading 17-14 at the quarter time after a slick start to the match.

By halftime the New Zealanders were beginning to find their feet, cutting Australia’s lead back to just one goal.

While New Zealand were finding their rhythm on attack the Australian shooting line began to falter, as the pressure being applied all game began to take its toll and the Kiwi side stalked out to a 45-41 lead at the final turn.

The former Ashburton College student’s selection came off the back of strong performances in both the Beko Netball league and Mainland Tactix side in the past year.

By Jaime Pitt-MacKay © The Ashburton Guardian - 17 July 2017