College A were in a celebratory mood after taking out the Mid Canterbury Netball premier one title with a big win over Celtic A on Saturday. Photos Heather MackenzieCollege A have claimed their first Mid Canterbury Netball premier one crown since 2010.

The competition’s youngest side simply proved far too slick for the competition’s defending champions Celtic A in Saturday’s final, winning 34-27.

It was a stellar end to what was a massive day of netball finals at the EA Networks Centre, with the two teams all square at the end of the first quarter at 7-all.

Although College A moved ahead in the second quarter and restricted Celtic A to just three goals to take a 19-10 lead to the half-time break, Celtic A were always threatening.

Last year’s winners landed the first three goals of the third to make up some of the ground they’d lost, but College A soon rediscovered their rhythm and once the ball was in the hands of goal shoot Hayley Tallentire or goal attack Dani McArthur, a goal was almost assured.

College A continued to build on their lead and by three-quarter-time were in front by 10, and although Celtic A again started strong and slotted the first five goals of the final quarter to halve that lead, that was as close as they were to get again, with the College A side holding their nerve in front of the big, and loud, crowd.

College A coach Kaye Kennedy said that she was incredibly proud of her young side.

“They were really nervous, but once that opening whistle went they realised it was just another game, and we just had to go out there and execute our basics well,” Kennedy said.

“My girls, they are really skilled and they actually love to win and they had real belief that they could do it, and that showed out there.”

She said they’d played with patience all season, and continued that on Saturday.

“It was all there for them to actually lose their heads and let it get to them – the crowd and even just being announced on to court, those sorts of things can be tough for kids to cope with.

“But they managed really well, they were calm once they got on the court and they played really well as a unit,” Kennedy said.

Celtic A coach Ange Leadley said her side was simply outplayed.

“It was disappointing to lose, but when you lose knowing that you left everything on court and you lost to a really skilled opposition it makes it easier,” Leadley said.

“And I really want to acknowledge the umpires (Kevin Opele and Jan Lee), the umpiring was just outstanding.”

Leadley said 2019 had been a tough year for Celtic A.

After going through 2018 unbeaten, they’d had a real bad patch and dropped some games this season, thanks in part to a bad run with injuries.

And that run continued on Saturday, with goal defence Liv Hutchinson taking to the court despite having injured her shoulder earlier in the day, and having to be replaced by Barrine Ross – who had already played in the premier two final for Celtic B – part way through the first half.

Celtic A never gave up, starting each quarter strongly to ensure they remained in the hunt, and Leadley said her team should be proud of their efforts.

Meanwhile, the Mid Canterbury Netball premier two title was won by Southern A after they beat Celtic B in that final.

By Erin Tasker © The Ashburton Guardian - 25 August 2019