Georgina Kelly (pictured) and Grace Wilson were on a goal-scoring streak as Ashburton College finished 12th at the NZ Secondary Schools’ Netball Tournament. Photo Laura BagrieThe Ashburton College Senior Netball side have put aside the fact did not initially qualify for the NZ National Secondary Schools’ Netball Tournament, and have finished in 12th place in the 16 team tournament.

The lost their final game to St Margaret’s 42-17, but despite the loss, coach Angela Mitchell was still very pleased with how her team performed.

“We are really pleased with how the team did.

“The intensity probably caught up with us a bit today and we hit the wall but that just shows how much effort these girls have put in,” she said.

“It was a really competitive competition and I would say we have out-performed expectations and really done AshColl proud.”

After winning one match in their pool, the side progressed in third to the next stage of the competition, where they won their next two games on the bounce.

They started off with a comfortable eight goal victory against St Andrew’s College, winning 33-25, with goal shoot Grace Wilson top scoring with 25 of the points.

The next day they snuck by Palmerston North Girls’ High School 29-27, before Sacred Heart College proved too tough a test in the third game, winning 40-25.

“They are a great team.

“They fought hard and really showed the strength of the relationships they have built and played some really nice netball,” Mitchell said.

By Jaime Pitt-MacKay © The Ashburton Guardian - 13 October 2017