An impressive team performance during Tuesday night's much anticipated promotion-relegation match has seen the Columba Senior A netball team back in the Premier A division after a spell of 10 years. Playing with pride, passion and impressive skill, the team thoroughly deserved their win and their place in Dunedin's premier netball competition.

After a busy weekend of regular season match play on Saturday and two intense games of netball during the annual school STAC exchange in Christchurch over Sunday and Monday, the Columba College Senior A netball team would have been excused for dropping the ball in Tuesday night's Dunedin Netball promotion-relegation match. This was far from the case however, and the team burst onto the court looking fresh, fit, and excited to play their game against the strong and more experienced South Pac Titans A side.

The first two quarters were close; however, Columba managed to hold on to a small goal advantage for much of the play. This led the team into the half-time break with energy to spare and the confidence that they could match it with the Titans. Exceptional performances from defensive duo Emilie Nicholson (GK) and Holly McRae (GD), presented opportunities aplenty for our slick midcourt combinations, and pin-point shooting stars Brenna Lyons (GS), Tessa Milton (GA) and Lucy Morrison. Columba combined composure with skill, and further extended their 32-26 halftime lead to a comfortable 48-32 three quarter advantage.

Head Coach, Lauren Piebenga, cleverly managed the mid-court substitutions with Riley Piebenga (C), Millie Mackenzie, Georgia Spek, Millie Scott and Neve Graamans all showing their worth on the court. Billie-Rose Craig showed that she is also a key member of what is clearly becoming a super talented squad.

The lead continued to extend across the final quarter with Columba coming out victorious and achieving a formidable 67-41 win over the Titans. Congratulations, Senior A netball, on your well-deserved place in the Premier A division. We are very proud of your development over recent times and look forward to seeing what further heights you can get to over the coming months. 

As always, a big thank you to coaches Lauren Piebenga and Megan Graamans, and team manager Kaye Sycamore for your ongoing commitment and leadership of this team. Parents, whanau, and Columba supporters, we thank you. Your encouragement and sideline support for our Senior A Netball team will now take on a whole new level of importance, starting this Saturday!  

Congratulations, Columba Senior A!