Pre Season Beko National Netball League game played Saturday, 27th February in Napier
NWBOP vs Central The Waikato/BOP National League Team travelled to Napier early on Saturday morning to
play their first preseason game against the Central National League Team. The team travelled
well, and were ready for their first game together.
The first quarter saw Monica Falkner and Simmon Howe in the shooting circle, Ariana CableDixon at WA, Ngawai Eyles in at centre, Alix Boe at WD, with Katie Elmer and Courtney Elliott
in the defensive end. The team had an outstanding first half, displaying a high level of skill,
and made connections through the court looking like they were a seasoned side. The mid
court was expertly controlled by Ngawai and Ariana who showed their supreme fitness and
speed. The defence end saw Alix have a remarkable game, applying consistent and aggressive
pressure resulting in turnovers which were converted down our shooting end. Katie and
Courtney worked tirelessly in the circle, combining well in their first outing together, resulting
in tips and outstanding intercepts. The shooting end combination of Monica and Simmon
were clever and innovative athletes, outplaying, and out-thinking their defence.
Team changes saw Jess Shed move into the shooting circle with Monica Falkner, and Simmon
Howe going into WA. Ariana moved into centre, Micaela Ashford to WD and, Emily Patterson
joining Courtney in the defensive circle. It did not take long for the changes to connect and
continue to shine and place pressure on the Central team. Ariana had an outstanding game
in at centre where she ‘emptied the tank’. Micaela showed her strength in the defensive end,
applying pressure to link with her circle partners to set up intercepts and turnover ball, and
again the shooting end of Jess and Monica finishing the job, and shooting the goals. Monica
Falkner achieved an outstanding 91% success rate. Emily Patterson in at GD, showed her
clever thinking, fast footwork and court sense, communicating with Courtney to shut the
shooting circle down.
Coach Marg Forsyth, and assistant coach Becs Greenhalgh were extremely pleased with the
teams overall performance and look forward to continuing to work with them for their
preparation for the next practice games which will be against Northern in Auckland on
Saturday 19th March.