Convincing wins for Canterbury, Auckland Waitakere & 2008 champions Southland, and Tasman's thrilling win aganst Eastern were the highlights of Round 1 of the 2009 Perry Foundation National Champs, 1st Grade competition, played on the weekend of 5 & 6 September.
Click here for all 1st Grade Round Robin scores & updated points.
1st Grade, Division 1
CANTERBURY 62 def NORTH 42
Canterbury Shooting Statistics
Ellen Halpenny - 48/56 (86%)
Angela Williams - 10/15 (67%)
Shelley Norris - 4/5 (80%)
North Shooting Statistics
Brigette Tapene - 21/28 (75%)
Courtney Mita - 19/25 (76%)
Krystle Rosandich - 2/6 (33%)
Canterbury, promoted last year from Division 2, put up a very good team effort to win every quarter, with an excellent performance by shooter Ellen Halpenny the highlight of a consistent, all-court effort.
AUCKLAND WAITAKERE 62 def OTAGO 42
Auckland Waitakere Shooting Statistics
Cathrine Latu - 44/44 (100%)
Jade Topia - 18/23 (78%)
Otago Shooting Statistics
Jo Morrison - 28/37 (76%)
Jodi Brown - 13/19 (68%)
Lizzie Sandom - 1/3 (33%)
An outstanding 100% shooting performance by Cathrine Latu, just returned from the World 7's upset defeat of the Australian Diamonds was a feature of this match, a replay of last year's semi-final. Otago led by one goal at the first break, but Rawinia Everitt (centre) and Lavinia Vaitohi (wing attack) proved to be key changes for Auckland Waitakere, who also benefited from Anna Scarlett's excellent defensive work.
SOUTHLAND 53 def WESTERN 33
Southland Shooting Statistics
Julianna Naoupu - 29/36 (81%)
Kerry McKenzie - 8/12 (67%)
Ashleigh Smith - 16/22 (73%)
Western Shooting Statistics
Chantelle Ngaia - 15/19 (79%)
Amber Bellringer - 10/12 (83%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit - 8/17 (47%)
Southland's firepower, in the shape of Sheryl Scanlan, Wendy Telfer, Erika Burgess & Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit (who played only the last quarter), all proven at ANZ Championship and international levels, proved too much for Western, despite fine work by Jodi Beaumont at goal keeper.
1st Grade, Division 2
TASMAN 54 def EASTERN 53
Tasman Shooting Statistics
Miriama Selby-Rickit - 24/27 (89%)
Kirby Heath - 30/43 (70%)
Eastern Shooting Statistics
Malia Eyles - 31/35 (89%)
Amanda Hynes - 14/15 (93%)
Petra van Zoelen - 8/11 (73%)
Tasman Coach Brenda Chilvers was understandably delighted with her team's performance, especially the third quarter when her players' concentration, patience and hard work on defence paid off with an 18-8 score for the period. Stand-outs for Tasman were goal attack Kirby Heath who picked up valuable turnovers in the mid-court as well putting up 43 shots for the match; centre Jess Drummond who pulled off several difficult intercepts at the top of the Eastern goal circle; and wing defence Zoe Johnson who worked hard on Eastern's talented wing attack Holly Solomona. Leading 33-26 at half-time, Eastern were unlucky to lose their experienced centre Rebecca Kupa to injury at that stage of the game.
WELLINGTON 57 def BAY OF PLENTY 40
Wellington Shooting Statistics
Te Amo Amaru-Tibble - 37/44 (84%)
Jamilah Gupwell - 20/25 (80%)
Bay of Plenty Shooting Statistics
Arahi Wall - 20/22 (91%)
Tanya Lund - 16/20 (80%)
Te Urukeiha Pukepuke - 4/10 (40%)
After a closely fought 13-12 1st quarter, Wellington pulled steadily further ahead thanks to their strong, feisty defensive work, and very accurate shooting. Jodi Tod stood out for Bay of Plenty with good work on defence.
WAIKATO 66 def COUNTIES MANUKAU 37
Waikato Shooting Statistics
Hayley Stockman - 22/26 (84%)
Larrissa Harrison - 27/30 (90%)
Jess Tuki - 13/22 (59%)
Jess Taane - 4/4 (100%)
Counties Manukau Shooting Statistics
Ashleigh Timoko - 7/13 (53%)
Sheena Tavioni - 19/25 (76%)
Marcia Bennett - 1/3 (33%)
Tabitha Mau - 3/3 (100%)
Slideshow Image: From the 2008 Perry Foundation National Champs. (PHOTO: Michael Bradley)