By Erin Bishop  July 27 2009

Hampstead A and College A are alone at the top of Mid Canterbury Netball’s premier competition leaderboard following Saturday’s third round.

With just two rounds remaining until the finals, the two sides look secure in their finals spots, along with third placed Methven A, but the race is on for the fourth spot with both Rakaia A and United A well within the hunt.

 Just who gets that third spot may well come down to the last round when Rakaia A and United A meet before the semi-finals.

 On Saturday, Allenton A said all but waved goodbye to its semi-final hopes with a 30-11 loss to United A, while the day’s other two games were close, with the two losing teams gaining some satisfaction with a bonus point after losing by three or less.

 College A’s impressive season continued with a 27-24 win over Rakaia A, but their day was marred by the loss of goal attack Steph Polson with a serious ankle injury. A break was yesterday ruled out, but she was likely to be out of action for much of the remaining season.

 The injury did not cost College A it’s momentum though, with the Jan Cochrane coached side holding onto its slender margin for much of the game.

 The game was always going to be tight from the opening whistle and Rakaia A goal defence Frances Jones made life extremely difficult for College A’s shooters early on.

 Once the school side settled though, they were able to hold onto the slender lead they’d chipped away at until full time.

 College A coach Jan Cochrane was happy to be sitting at the top of the table having lost a vital player on Saturday.

 “The whole game was a really well contested good game and obviously we are happy to come out on top,” Cochrane said.

 “With Steph out for a couple of weeks the next two or so weeks we’ll b working on building up combinations.”

 The day’s closest game was between the competition’s other two front runners, Hampstead A and Methven A, with Hampstead A taking a narrow 25-24 win.

Pictured: United A’s Debbie Summerfield looks to the circle for her shooters as Allenton A centre Kim Jacob puts the pressure on during Saturday’s round of premier netball.- Photo Sarah Chamberlain 250709-SC-605