The second WBC tournament is being held in Auckland this coming weekend.

Five of the teams boast a 3-1 record following the first tournament held in Christchurch early last month and barring a collapse in form should have no problem securing a top six berth and a place in the play-offs.

Harbour Breeze, Waikato Wizards, Otago Gold Rush, Canterbury Wildcats and Auckland /Counties Hawks are the five teams with positive records leaving Waitakere Lady Rangers, Nelson Sparks, Capital flyers and Rotorua Vols on the outside looking in.

Players returning from their college commitments in the US will boost a number of the teams.

However in the case of the Capital Flyers (2-2) they will suffer the opposite effect. Young Tall Fern Stella Beck has headed to summer school at St Mary’s College. Last season’s MVP averaged 15.3ppg and 12 rebounds in the first tournament and those numbers will be difficult to replace. It is also reported that Margaret Scott is doubtful due to injury. The likes of Te Amo Amaru-Tibble and Jessica Slade will need to shoulder greater responsibility if last year’s champions are going to force their way into the top six and give themselves a chance to defend their title.

Waitakere Lady Rangers are also 2-2 and they will lose guard Wuanyei Ah-Hing to the Junior Tall Ferns. The Rangers still have plenty of talent and experience led by Tall Fern Penina Davidson (13.8ppg in tournament one), former international Natasha Hall, Emma Bergin and Stevee Theyers.

Nelson Sparks have left themselves a lot to do entering the weekend with a 1-3 record. They probably need to win four of their last five games and will rely heavily on the experience of Kat Jones and Nicky Rampton to achieve that. Jodi Hikuroa (9.3ppg/6.8rebs) and Hana Wilkinson (11.8) were also prominent in tournament one. Their games against Waitakere and Capital will be critical. Win both and they could sneak into the top six.

Rotorua Vols have a 0-4 record and already look condemned to be playing off for the minor placings. Takiri Emery-Raerino, Sally Kurei and Ema Pene all averaged 6ppg for the Vols but they will need greater collective scoring output if they are to chalk up some victories.

The top five teams will all fancy their chances of not only gaining a top six play-off berth but also winning the round robin series.

Harbour Breeze and Waikato Wizards have a slight advantage as they both have yet to play the Junior Tall Ferns. These games regardless of the result are recorded as wins to the opposition as the JTF fixtures are none competition games.

The Wizards, led by former Tall Fern Leanne Walker were the leading offensive team in the first tournament averaging 65 points per game. Krystal Leger-Walker (10.8ppg) and Miriam Stevens (9.3ppg) led the scoring as six players averaged 7 points or more per game. Interestingly the team shot better from beyond the three point arc (37%) than closer range (35%).

The Breeze have suffered more comings and goings than most. Ella Fotu joins up with the JTF’s and Beks van Kuyk is overseas. On the plus side Jaycin Tini and Brooke Blair are back from their Junior College freshman years in the US.

Auckland Countie Hawks have possibly the most talented squad and will probably have the unique situation of having four sisters in their line up. The Purcell sisters Charmian, Hailey, Natalie and Kalani will be tough to beat on their home court. Charmian (now Charmian Mellars) led the rebounding count in Christchurch (18.7 per game) and Natalie (now Natalie Taylor) scored an impressive 20 points per game on the southern trip.

Otago had a good first tournament but appear to lean very heavily on Suzie Bates and Samara Gallaher. White Ferns cricket captain Bates was the leading scorer in Christchurch averaging 21.3 points a game and also dishing 4 assists per game. Forward Gallaher was equally impressive contributing 17 points and 9 rebounds per contest.

Canterbury Wizards were driven by Tessa Boagni (17.7ppg/9..0rpg),

Shea Crotty (8.3ppg/5.5rpg/3.5apg) and Darcy Rose (12.3reb pg). The Wizards will be relying on these three players repeating their good form but will be helped greatly if Erin Rooney returns from the States to suit up in the red singlet.

The tournament is being played at the Alan Brewster Centre in Papatoetoe, Friday June 6^th – Sunday June 8^th

Current WBC Standings

3-1 Harbour Breeze, Waikato Wizards, Otago Gold Rush, Canterbury Wildcats. Auckland /Counties Hawks

2-2 Capital Flyers, Waitakere Lady Rangers

1-3 Nelson Sparks

0-4 Rotorua Vols

Story by Mike Lacey