Mixed results for Steel - February 12, 2012

Steel co-coaches Janine Southby and Natalie Avellino are satisfied with the progress their team made during its first hit out of the season at a tournament staged at Lincoln, near Christchurch, at the weekend.

The southerners travelled north to test its metal against ANZ Championship rivals the Canterbury Tactix, the Canterbury Mens’ netball team and visiting NSW club Eastwood Ryde.

“People got some time on court and we started really establishing some combinations but there is clearly a lot of work to do,” Southby said.

“We also got a look at what intensity we need to be working at from a game perspective with some tougher match play so in that respect we achieved our goals for the weekend.”

While there was definite room for improvement, the Steel demonstrated the scope available with some impressive glimpses out on court.

“We feel there is a lot to work on but there have also been some really exciting plays during the weekend from the players, especially given they have had very little court time together and we’ve had some disruptions with players unavailable for this tournament. There are some very promising signs,” Southby said.

“The pressure comes on now. The girls have been pushing each other hard at training but now they have played another team from ANZ Championship level, they will be pushing each other even harder.

“There were patches of players really stepping up and saying ‘pick me, I want to be a starting player’ but that was inconsistent and that’s got to improve.”

The Steel was light on experience in the absence of former Silver Fern shooters Donna Wilkins and Jodi Brown, along with midcourter Wendy Frew who has withdrawn from the squad after announcing her pregnancy on Thursday. A slight niggle also relegated dynamic new recruit Courtney Tairi to the sidelines.

The Tactix earned bragging rights following the first clash of 2012 for the South Island neighbours, notching up a 56-46 win over the Steel on Saturday.

Earlier today, the Steel dominated Eastwood Ryde 62-40 after leading 19-8, 33-21, 46-33 at the breaks.

The Steel lost its opening game of the tournament 39-66 against a troublesome Canterbury Mens’ team after trailing each quarter 5-18, 17-36 and 28-51.

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