Southland netball lacked experience but not grit in 1983...

Southland played Otago in the annual netball fixture 1983.  Otago were very strong with the likes of Lyn Proudlove, and Beth Hunter, with Proudlove being the captain and a New Zealand representative.  Whereas, Southland had a rather inexperienced team with only four players that had returned from the previous year, in Lynne McKenzie, Teresa Panagiotidis, Vivenne Harding and Julie Wilson.

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.Newcomers to the Southland team for 1983 were; Debbie Angus, Vicki Taua, Lynley Smith (captain), who had returned to representative netball after a six year break.  

Otago had opened an 18 point lead by half time.  Southland found it difficult to get through the strong defence line and the two shoots, McKenzie and Panagiotidis had to shoot from out wide.  
The final score was 46-22 to Otago.

Under 20's
The Southland U20 team faired better against Otago with the first half belonging to Otago who were up by seven at half time.  The Southland defence line tightened up which made it difficult for Otago's shoots to get in close.   The score was 16-16 with a few minutes to go, but Southland seemed to taper off and Otago scored 4 quick goals which made it 20-16 to Otago.

Under 16's
It was left to the juniors to take it to Otago and they did with a 10 goal buffer in the first three minutes.  They did take their foot off and Otago managed to claw their way back with half time being 14-8.
Kate Lindsay and Carmen Orlowski were tight on defence, while goal shoot, Janice McLelland shot at 75%.  She was well supported by Katie Jackson at goal attack with a 83% shooting stat.
Other members to make up the victorious team were; Mary-Jane Thomas, Toni Jones and Megan Lodge.

Reference:  Southland Netballers Outplayed by Otago.  The Southland Times.  11                         July 1983.