Adjusting to more changes in their frontline will be key to Wellington East Girls’ chances of reaching the College Netball final for the first time.
The lower North Island fourth seeds take on Auckland Girls’ Grammar School (AGGS) in the second semifinal in Palmerston North on Sunday. The match is the curtain raiser to the ANZ Championship clash between the Haier Pulse and Northern Mystics and the winner will meet Mount Albert Grammar School in the College Netball final in Auckland on May 26.
They will however head into the semifinal without two key players – including midcourter Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (NZSS) and goal attack Tenika Leota (Aotearoa Maori) – who are both playing in the International Schoolgirls’ Netball Challenge in Adelaide starting on Monday.
“It will have an impact on the squad and it comes down to how we adjust to that,” coach Liz Page said.
AGGS will also be without two players who will be in Adelaide with the Pacific Rim team including Cecelia and Elenoa Wacokecoke.
“It’s going to be a good challenge for both teams and I’m expecting a strong AGGS team to come out.”
Wellington East earned their place in the final four in dramatic fashion after going into extra time to beat St Mary’s College by one goal in round three.
Page said she had been stopped by a number of people to discuss the match which was determined with a toss-up after regulation time giving Wellington East possession which they converted through their youngest team member Tiana Metuarau.
“It certainly wasn’t the prettiest game of netball we’ve played but we’ve got that experience of coming from behind to win so that’s a bonus,” she said.
Page joked they could practice their “toss-ups” in the changing rooms before being called onto court for the start of the game against AGGS.
But she was hoping extra time would not be needed this week as Wellington East search for their first finals berth.
“The same end result would be nice but not necessarily in the same way,” she said with a laugh.
It is however familiar territory for Wellington East who beat AGGS in extra time last year at the National Secondary Schools Championships.
Page said her side had been working on their connections on court, particularly on attack, but also converting turnover ball and their intensity levels in the first quarter.
“It’s still so early in the season but I’d just like to see us more settled with turnover ball and making sure we have the right intensity going into that first quarter,” she said. “The girls are excited though about playing in the semifinals and hopefully going a step further.”
College Netball semifinal 2: Wellington East Girls’ College versus Auckland Girls’ Grammar School at Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North on Sunday.
Wellington East Girls’ College: Bella Cordwell, Emo Vaeou, Lee Jean Kahui, Marcelle Parkes, Mereana Makea, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan, Raukura Doyle, Selina Duggan, Tenika Leota, Tiana Metuarau, Tori Watt, Wanaka Noanoa.
Auckland Girls’ Grammar School: Sulu Feleti-Faanana, Shelby Fatialofa, Anaseini Atevalu, Anelisa Lole, Narelle Swain-Smith, Paris Tana-Tepania, Ashley Dixon, Cecelia Wacokecoke, Elenoa Wacokecoke, Sisilia Tu’ipulotu, Hannah Mehau-Lave, Taylor Pirini.
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