Selwyn_Times: August 23, 2023

Selwyn Times Wednesday August 23 2023
20
SPORT
ASSESS: Lincoln wing attack Kenzie Pringle looks to break
through Greenpark A’s defence in last week’s semi-final.
Above – Burnham A goal keep Mya Gibbons defends
Greenpark B goal shoot Jaymie Philpott.
PHOTOS: TASH DILLON ​
Lincoln A’s shock title contention
• By Jaime Cunningham
OFF THE back of a surprise win,
Lincoln A are now one step away
from claiming Selwyn’s premier
title when they meet Burnham A
tomorrow.
It will be Lincoln’s first final
appearance in six years.
Lincoln recorded a 52-44 win
over table leaders Greenpark A
last Thursday, while defending
champions Burnham A edged
out Greenpark B 40-36 in the
other semi-final.
Building from last week’s
momentum will be important
for Lincoln, co-coach Dawn
Dalley said.
“In previous games it’s
been one or two quarters that
have cost us, but (last week)
everything just came together,”
she said.
“We put up a lot more shots
and we got a lot of turnover ball
which we converted in the last
quarter.
“Our three shooters were all on
fire as well.”
It will be the second time
Lincoln and Burnham play each
other. Burnham were too strong
three weeks ago, winning 36-29
when a 10-7 last quarter saw
the game slip away from the
team.
“There’s a few things on
defence we want to work on, and
we’ll need to mix it up against
Burnham,” Dalley added.
“But it’s just about maintaining
momentum.”
While Burnham A secured
the Athol Vasta Premier League
Cup last year, Lincoln have not
appeared in a final since their
premier dominance ended in
2017.
The team won consecutive
titles between 2013-2017 and
went unbeaten in every game
for three of those years, before
the club decided to prioritise
developing young players at
premier level.
“There’s four or five players
who have been the core of the
team for the last five years.
“So this year is probably a
culmination of that decision,”
Dalley said.
Burnham go into their second
premier final following a tight
semi-final against Greenpark B.
Defender Aaliyah Metcalf
was once again required in
Burnham’s shooting end,
alongside Olivia Clark.
The two shooters shared
the volume well, with Metcalf
netting 18 goals from 23
attempts at goal attack.
Despite a 71 per cent shooting
accuracy, Burnham ultimately
won the game by getting more
ball to their shooters. Burnham
had 56 attempts at goal
compared to Greenpark B, who
had 47.
As shown by Metcalf’s use in
the shooting end, the versatility
and plethora of positional
options will be a strength for
Burnham tomorrow.
The team have been consistent
all season, losing their only
match 46-45 against Greenpark
A last month.
Looking to claim back-to-back
titles for the first time in the
club’s history, Burnham will go
into the game as clear favourites.
Following last week’s losses,
the two Greenpark sides meet
tomorrow for third-place playoff.
Earlier this month, Greenpark
A managed to hold off their B
side for a 50-42 win after an even
first half.
Greenpark A goal shoot Maia
Hill will be integral for her side
following a strong semi-final
showing where she shot 32 goals
from 37 attempts (86 per cent).
Meanwhile, West Melton A
managed to secure fifth-place
with a 39-38 win despite a
last quarter fight-back from
Broadfield A.
Halswell Rugby League A
proved too strong for Malvern
A in the seventh-place playoff,
winning 50-40. It capped off an
impressive first season for both
young teams at premier level.
Tomorrow’s draw
(Selwyn Sports Centre)
Premier final: Burnham A
v Lincoln A, 8pm, court 1.
Premier 3rd-place playoff:
Greenpark A v Greenpark B,
6.30pm, court 2.
Masters 1 final: HRLNC v
Springston, 6.30pm, court 1.
Masters 2 final: Burnham v
Templeton, 7.30pm, court 4.
Masters 3 final: West
Melton B v Prebbleton B,
7.30pm, court 3.
Semi-final results:
Burnham A 40 (O Clark
22/33, A Metcalf 18/23) def
Greenpark B 36 (J Philpott
21/26, S Woodgate 15/21).
Qtrs: 11-8, 20-19, 32-25, 40-
36.
Lincoln A 52 (B Neame
33/43, K Sims 13/16, S
Adams 6/6) def Greenpark A
44 (M Hill 32/37, K Timpson
10/11, S Woodgate 2/3). Qtrs:
10-10, 24-22, 36-35, 52-44.
West Melton A 39 (E van
der Witt 22/24, G Meyerhoff
17/19) def Broadfield A 38 (K
Robins 13/15, M Lepper 7/13,
G Cross 18/20). Qtrs: 12-10,
22-19, 31-28, 39-38.
HRLNC A 50 (I Laing 24/28,
A Keylard 1/2, T Hira 25/28)
def Malvern A 40 (K Holland
28/36, C Townsend 12/13).
Qtrs: 8-10, 23-21, 38-30,
50-40.
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