2016 Beko Netball League - Round 10 Preview

2016 Beko Netball League - Round 10 Preview

Thursday 9 June, 2016

Round 10 Fixture
Netball South v Netball Northern
6:00pm, Saturday 11 June
Edgar Centre, Dunedin
Broadcast: LIVE on SKY Sport NZ 3 from 5:50pm (check local guides)

Netball Central v Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty
6:00pm, Sunday 12 June
Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua
Broadcast: LIVE on SKY Sport NZ 4 from 5:50pm (check local guides)

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Frontrunners’ last chance to cement finals spot

Northern sits in the Beko Netball League hot seat in what is their last push to make the inaugural grand final.

They are currently atop the league ladder – by just three points – heading into the penultimate weekend of round-robin play.

But the chasing pack – including Central, Waikato Bay of Plenty (WBOP) and South – all have two games remaining before the June 26 final while Northern has just one chance to add to their points tally.

It comes in Dunedin at the Edgar Centre on Saturday when they meet a South team which must win to keep their season alive.

All eyes will be on South shooter Jennifer O’Connell who was in commanding form in Round 9 and Northern defender Ashleigh Kelman-Poto will face a big task in shutting down the teenager who, after a slow start to the season, has consistently netted over 80 per cent in her past three games with a high volume.

Northern are also coming off a bye weekend and are up against a South unit high in confidence – impressing in all areas in a big win over Mainland last week.

South can also take some belief into the pressure match having been one of two teams to beat Northern this year. Northern’s other loss was to Central by 11 goals in Round 4.

In the other match, second-placed Central takes on WBOP at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua on Sunday night.

An exciting battle looms between key play-makers Monica Falkner (WBOP) and Karin Burger (Central) who have both been consistent performers for their teams throughout the new 12-week competition.

Burger, who was born in South Africa but now lives in Wellington, has averaged six intercepts and deflections a game and with ambitions of becoming a Silver Fern is a player to watch.

Falkner is another to keep an eye on having been accurate in the shooting circle for WBOP and netted 31 from 35 when her side beat Central by 54-51 in Round 3. She has received great service from mid-court Ariana Cable-Dixon who has been a key link from defence to attack for WBOP.

It was one of two losses for Central this season, the other coming against Northern by one goal in Round 2.

The top two ranked teams will meet in the final at The Trusts Arena in Auckland.

Useful Links
FOLLOW: Draw and Results (including Match Centre)
FOLLOW: Points Table
READ: Team Lists
WATCH: Beko Netball League Highlights

ENDS.

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