NZ Secondary Schools Netball Championships - Day 2 Overview

NZ Secondary Schools Netball Championships

Day Two Overview

In a day of upsets and surprises, the only constant at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Netball Championships (NZSS) is the outstanding performances of leading sides Mount Albert Grammar School (MAGS), Wellington East Girls’ College and St Mary’s College from Wellington.

Defending champions MAGS have made their intentions clear, marching through the competition sweeping all challengers aside and looking odds-on favourites to retain their title. All four of the shooters for MAGS are in the top ten for shooting percentages after four matches, an impressive haul.

Pool play wrapped up in the morning as the top eight teams played their way into title contention.

Pool A was dominated by MAGS with Auckland Girls’ Grammar School also earning their way into the top of the draw defeating Christchurch Girls’ High School 46-27. The two teams progressing forward from Pool B were St Mary’s College from Wellington and Rotorua’s John Paul College through to the top eight, an exciting result in their first ever NZSS tournament.

Pool C saw Wellington East Girls’ College progress in just their third year of involvement in the competition and they were joined by Baradene as the top two teams in the pool.

Pool D was perhaps the most interesting overall with last year’s runners-up Tu Toa soundly beaten by South Otago High School in Wednesday’s opening round to drop out of top eight contention. Despite the win, South Otago did not accrue enough points to progress either and will play in the lower half of the draw along with Tu Toa. Pukekohe High School also snuck in to the top eight after one win, one loss and one draw in pool play, gaining enough bonus points to move forward.

Later in the day, the top eight teams were separated into two pools while the bottom eight teams also divided into two pools.

Baradene College won their match against Westlake Girl’s High School 37-28 to continue their strong run in the top half of the draw, likewise Wellington East Girls’ College who brushed aside the challenge of Pukekohe 40-29. Also in the top half, MAGS defeated John Paul 55-20 while St Mary’s and Auckland Girls’ Grammar School contested a tightly fought match with St Mary’s holding onto a narrow lead throughout the match to win 27-23.

Play continues on Thursday morning from 9.30am with Tu Toa playing Waimea and Palmerston North Girls’ High School against South Otago. Entry to the AMI Auckland Netball Centre is by gold coin donation.

Please click here for Thursday's draw and full results. All matches feature LIVE scoring, available through the Netball New Zealand website.

ENDS

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