Hero photograph
South Island Secondary Schools A grade Netball Competition
 
Photo by CGHS Publication

CGHS Wins South Island Secondary Schools A Netball Competition

Helen O'Connor, Deputy Head Girl —

The CGHS senior A netball team have won the South Island Secondary Schools A grade Netball Competition for the first time in 51 years!

CGHS beat Dunedin’s St Hilda’s Collegiate 29-27 in a nail-biting final which went into extra time in Nelson, on Thursday the 5th of September, to be awarded not only the winning trophy, but the cup for the team with the highest goal differential over the tournament.

Going into the tournament, having placed 3rd last year, we knew we could go all the way this time round. After finishing top in our pool after some large wins, we came up against STAC in our cross pool play. Both teams fought hard, and in the end couldn’t be separated, leading to a 32-32 draw. This meant that we had to win both of our next games by more than STAC to make the top 4. The pressure was on.

Wednesday saw us play Otago Girls' High School in rainy conditions for our first game on the outdoor courts, after being kicked outside by the basketball tournament. The wet conditions forced us to sharpen up on our skills and do the basics right, and it worked as we came away with a 39-16 win. Next was Columba Colleg which was a tough fought win, but we came out on top 36-26.

After a tense few hours of waiting for the officials to work out who would go through to the semi finals, as STAC had also won both their games, the results came through. By the skin of our teeth we had just beaten STAC in goal differential and were in to top 4!!

Thursday morning came, and we told each other to enjoy it; it’s just a game of netball with your friends. With that mindset, we took out our semi against Ashburton College, 34-21.

Now it was finals time. The biggest game of netball we had all ever been a part of, and what a game it was!

9-9 after the first quarter and 12-12 at half-time, until CGHS nudged ahead by two goals after the third quarter. At full-time, the teams were level again 26-26. In overtime, it see-sawed again as both sides fought hard for the two-goal advantage needed to take the title of the South Island Secondary Schools netball champions. But through pure grit and determination, we did it; 29-27.

There was very tough competition throughout the whole tournament, but the girls put to use all their hard work they had put in throughout the season, and their previous experience of playing in high intensity finals, like the Christchurch Supernet final which the girls took out earlier in the term for the first time in 16 years, and it paid off!

The girls are very excited for the national tournament coming up in the second week of the holidays, and want to thank all those who have supported and helped the team out during the season.

CGHS Captain Charlotte Knight and vice Captan Shana Ali were named the talented players of the tournament.