Bayleys Hawke's Bay Black narrowly miss out on Top 8 spot in Day three at the Netball NZ U17 Champs. 

In the morning game Hawke’s Bay Black took on Christchurch’s top team for a place in the Quarter-Finals. Crucial shots and unforced errors were pivotal I the determination of the outcome. Unfortunately, that outcome was a 1^st defeat of the competition for the Hawke’s Bay girls, 25-33 in favour of the South Island side.  The team showed patches of brilliance, especially taking the 4^th Quarter but were unable to put out a consistent 40min game.  The combination of Tabitha Coddington, Libby Charlton and Kiah McCorkindale in the defence showed promise turning over ball and being able to convert those turnovers at the opposite end of the court will be key to success as the team moves into the 9-16^th Place bracket.

With a firm drive to make the Top 10 and ensure that the team only taste defeat once in these championships, the players were determined heading into the game against Eastern Southland.  The playing conditions were challenging, and the girls did well to adjust to playing the very short game due to playing half the game in a thunderstorm.  A huge team effort to stay in the game through all 4 quarters. Caitlin Smith held strong at shooter and set up well for shooter to shooter connections. The team battled it out to a comfortable 28-18 victory.

The team will now face up against fellow Central Zone outfit, Hutt Valley Gold, a win in the tie will secure a TOP 10 finish for the Bayleys U17 Black team.