Celtic Auric Electrical A continue to set the pace in the ACL Premier netball competition, with their unbeaten run continuing thanks to a convincing 42-12 win over Southern Rakaia Hub A in the latest round on Thursday (June 8).

While that was a fairly one sided affair, the rest of the night was a different story across the board. Newly promoted College A gave Methven Wareings a run for their money but eventually went down 38-24, while Hampstead Ray White A had to fight hard for their 32-24 win over a Mt Somers Victory Lime A side featuring a handy new-recruit in Ashlee Strawbridge, a local who is currently home for a while after playing basketball in the US.

It couldn’t have been much closer in ACL Premier 2 either, with one goal the margin in both games played. Allenton A held on to beat Rakaia ProShear 25-24, while the newly promoted up from premier 3 Hampstead Ray White B side came away with a nail-biting 31-30 win over United KFC A.

Hampstead’s C team also had a close one, seeing off a challenge from College B to win 34-31, while the other College side – College Y10A – picked up a good 42-31 win despite being dealt a couple of injury blows in the days prior.

Unfortunately, the night’s other two games were rare defaults. Sickness within the Methven Netball Club meant that their As were the only Methven team in action. Methven EuroAgri B were forced to default to Celtic Darryl Phillips Motor Company B in ACL Premier 2, while Methven Shearmac defaulted to Methven Garage Gym in ACL Premier 3.

The club will be hoping everyone’s on the mend next week though, with big match ups awaiting all teams, including Methven Wareings facing the might of Celtic Auric Electrical A in premier 1 in the late game. Hampstead Ray White A and College A will kick the night off, with Mt Somers Victory Lime A and Southern Rakaia Hub A playing the middle game next Thursday.

In ACL Premier 2 Methven EuroAgri will be hoping to be fighting fit and healthy with a big game against current table-toppers Allenton A in the late game, while United KFC A and Rakaia ProShear will play at 6.15pm, and Hampstead Ray White B and Celtic Darryl Phillips Motor Company B playing at 7.15pm.

In ACL Premier 3, Methven Shearmac and College B will kick the night off, followed by Methven Garage Gym and Rakaia Seed Cleaning, before Hampstead Ray White C and College Y10A finish the night off.

Article added: Friday 09 June 2023