Lincoln University captain Hayley Saunders believes her side has addressed a “horror quarter” to head into the business end of club netball’s season with confidence.

The Tactix mid-courter, who missed Tuesday’s night game against Saints having had her wisdom teeth removed earlier in the week, said they had taken a long look at their defeat to Technical a week ago – where they lost the final spell 4-16.

Their match against Saints at the Bishopdale YMCA this week was an opportunity to execute “some tweaks” to their warm-ups and game plan.  Lincoln University won the game 57-33 while Kereru and Technical remained unbeaten with wins over St Nicholas and Halswell respectively.

“For us, we are a young squad and it’s really about confidence and having fun out there,” Saunders said of Lincoln University.  “We took a good look at how things are going and have still taken plenty of positives of the last few weeks.

“We were really pleased with what we did for 45 minutes (against Technical) and to be honest I’m pleased we had that horror fourth quarter then, instead of in a few weeks,” she said.  “It was probably a sign of experience and we do have a young team but it’s something to learn from.”

They were pushed hard early on from Saints but a change in the defence line earned Lincoln University more turnovers, while at the other end of the court young goal attack Bella James relished an opportunity to play a full 60-minutes and delivered a strong second-half performance.

But Lincoln University must step up another gear next week as they take on Kereru which Saunders noted had been strengthened by the inclusion of Phillipa Finch in the mid-court, and the return of Silver Fern trialist Jane Watson.

“They’re a very strong side but it’s an exciting challenge and it’s not something we’re scared of,” Saunders said.  “We have to play to our strengths which are our youth, fitness and I guess our randomness at times.”

Kereru continue to raise the bar as the finals series approaches and they proved a class above St Nicholas, winning 72-42.

The result was all but decided by the first break after the top seeds netted 20 goals and restricted St Nicholas to just six.

Kereru had the luxury of big name players in all thirds with Watson in defence, Finch in the mid-court and Samoan international Julianna Naoupu missing just two her 39 attempts at goal in the shooting circle.

Goal shooter Sarah Boomer stood out for St Nicholas as her side rallied through the middle stages of the game and she finished with 23 goals.

Meanwhile, Technical are also unbeaten after three games in the championship round after a 72-37 win over Halswell.

Technical dominated the second stanza to set up the victory with youngster Maddy Lloyd making the most of her time on court at goal attack to finish with 20 goals from 26 attempts.

An intriguing match-up between Halswell and an improving Saints side looms with both teams yet to register any points this round and in danger of being relegated.

Results:

Lincoln University 57 (Natalie Allen GS1 19/25, Bella James GA 31/44, Kate Grant GS2 7/14) beat Saints (Alice Eddington GS 24/32, Taylor Rosie-Forrester GA1 8/14, Zoe Fa’avae GA2 1/2).  Quarter scores:  13-7, 23-16, 40-24, 57-33.

Technical 72 (Chelsea Bremner GS 38/42, Tiana Placid GA1 14/18, Maddy Lloyd GA2 20/26) beat Halswell 37 (Jess Taylor GS1 1/3, Nicola Meikle GA 26/31, Harriet Fenwick GS2 5/12, R Howden GS3 5/7).  Quarter scores:  12-7, 32-16, 49-26, 72-37.

Kereru 72 (Erin McDuff GS1 15/19, Julianna Naoupu GA1 19/20, Naoupu GS2 18/19, Sophia Fenwick GA2 20/30) beat St Nicholas 42 (Olivia Coughlan GS1 4/5, Sarah Boomer GA1 2/4, Boomer GS2 21/26, Grace Jones GA2 ¼, Caitlin Dowden GA2 14/16).  Quarter scores:  20-6, 34-15, 50-32, 72-42.