Jacks continue dominant streak

After a barnstorming round of upsets last week, it was back to regularly scheduled programming in NBS premier grade netball.

Jacks OPD were in dominant form as they beat Nelson College for Girls 74-22, while Stoke NBS couldn’t slow down Prices Waimea Ahurei in a 66-25 loss, and the FCL Nelson Men beat Richmond F45 83-42.

While Nelson College for Girls had periods where they were earning turnovers and forcing the action, it was Jacks who controlled large portions of the game.

They were slowed down at points by the methodical offence of NCG, who took their time to find the openings rather than trying to push the pace.

But, with GK Lily Zwart in flying form in the shooting circle, the school girls struggled to find inroads to turn into points on the board.

Greer Robertson, who joined the Nelson College for Girls team this season as a year 11 had an impressive performance when she got the ball in her hands.

The tall goal shoot has been a strong pick-up for the team this season, with coach Lyn Fleming saying she’s “gobsmacked” she wasn’t picked up by the representative system earlier.

“This is out of the box to anything she’s played before,” says Lyn.

“She’s been a quick learner. . . she’s going to be a superstar.”

Lyn was also impressed with GA Chloe Steele, who she says had one of her best performances of the season.

With several players coming into the squad from the school’s B team, Lyn says they were an impressive pick up with the absence of Holly Dixon, out with a concussion unrelated to netball sorely felt.

“It’s good to see who can handle the jandal. They had no expectations of what it would be like.”

Centre Emma Solly, one of the NCG captains, also had a strong game. But it was silver linings as Jacks were in dominant form after beating the Nelson Men last week.

Jacks were dominant, moving the ball far more quickly through the court and with Ani Waitai and Harriet Ogilvie in the shooting circle it often turned into points.

Coach Robyn Leonard says the team made strides with their defence this week, impressed with their ability to turn it quickly back into offence.

“In the second quarter we won a huge amount of ball and just threw it away. But they tidied that up after halftime.”

With Holly Chandler away with international volleyball duties, Robyn says Lilly stepped up to the plate.

“She had a good game last week and a good game this week, just getting back into netball.

“I’m really pleased. There’s a lot of new people and new things going on in the team and they did well.”