Day 5 - Two Games.....it's getting hard core!

Day five, physically and mentally one of the toughest day we were going to have on tour! Two games against Hong Kong and Malaysia, both games we were capable of winning if we were able to continue to progress from the improvements made so far this tournament.


As a result of having two games we decided to flag our usual morning training in favour of a a much needed sleep in. Our most avid slumberer Lucy Bolton seemed particularly happy about this idea!


Koru also continued his journey by being awarded to the inspirational Helen Abernethy for the constant positiveness and energy she displayed in overcoming her ankle injury!


Game one for the day vs Hong Kong began with Simon Cooper (C), Mikey Graham, Alisha Muir and Natasha Van Vuuren in attack with Carl Chung, Neville Brooker, Rosa Cooper and Sarah Bateup in defence. Thanks to some inside knowledge from Carl, we were able to set up a plan to support our female players as our main attackers and rebounders.


Early on the plan was used to good effect with top-scorer for the game Natasha Van Vuuren draining consecutive six metre shots from the same spot on the court to draw us level at 3-3. As the first half wore on, defense dominated heavily but late in the half Tash grabbed another two goals to again tie the game at 7-7. A flurry of action in the last three minutes saw Hong Kong leading by one at half time 10-9.


The second half saw Hong Kong make a key substitution in bringing on the tournaments leading goal scorer. He had an immediate impact and created more attacking opportunities which our defenders struggled to cope with. A six-goal run from Hong Kong effectively put the game beyond our grasp at 18-11. The Kiwi's continued to fight, closing out the game 20-14.


Again, there were some very encouraging signs during this game with the team able to better implement desired game plans but an inability to consistently put the ball through the Korf and missing shots from close to the hoop, has been holding the team back from achieving great things.


After a quick dinner it was back to the stadium to duke in out in round two for the day. Our opponents Malaysia, while playing in their first international tournament, had proved with results to this point that they were not to be taken too lightly. Admittedly, they look pretty cool with the entire team wearing matching shoes. Although Hong Kong would have to get the award for team with the coolest shoes overall!


This game was a significant moment for the squad with the only player yet to take the court finally being able to make her debut for NZ! Helen Abernethy had proven herself through fitness tests in the morning and with the help of a bit of tape and our good friend voltaren she managed to play the full 60 minutes.


Starting attack Mikey Graham (C, being rewarded with captaincy for the game as our usual captains were being rested), Spencer Te Pou, Jamie Osborne, Helen Abernethy and defence Carl Chung, Alex Van Schaardenburg, Alex Clark and Sarah Bateup.


With two early goals it looked like this should be a comfortable game, however Malaysia quickly proved how much they have grown through this tournament scoring seven straight goals! After calling a time-out to address the fact we were being given feed, the gap slowly closed and we trailied 7-10 at half time.


Half time consisted of a bit of a bollocking for the team with Coach Garrett particularly frustrated with the lack of identification of easy attacking opportunities. Needless to say most spectators were also pretty stunned with the half time score!


The second half started with NZ slipping to four goals down and things were starting to look a a bit grim. However, NZ started to gain some ascendancy on attack and five straight goals including two each from Sarah Bateup and Spencer Te Pou put us back in the lead with 11 minutes to play. New Zealand continued to look more controlled over the closing stages with Malaysia beginning to panic on attack. Spence added his forth for the game to earn NZ our first win for the tournament at 16-13. 


It was a huge relief to get that monkey off our back. While it was highly frustrating to have to dig ourselves out of the hole we put ourselves in, to have achieved that and keep our chances of making the top four still alive certainly brought a lot of smiles to the changing room.


The Malaysian game was another massive learning curve for this young team and as each game goes by we see growth within the team both on and off court that reminds us why we do this and the joy we get from it.


A much needed rest day is ahead tomorrow with the plan being to head down to coach's house in Willunga, an hour south of Adelaide, to chill and have a swim in his new pool!