Netball: Mount Maunganui stages NZ U19 champs finals

Harbourside's Jess Wharekura looks to pass. Photo / George Novak

NETBALL
With a wide geographical area it can be difficult to bring a team together in order to build combos - that is something Harbourside's U19 girls have struggled with this season.

The side, made up of players from the eastern Bay of Plenty, Western Bay and Rotorua, has been competing in the 2018 Netball NZ U19 Championships held at Tauranga's ASB Baypark Arena this week.

The indoor competition brings the country's best netballers in the age group together, who have been battling it out on the court since Monday with finals under way today.

In their fifth game of the tournament, Harbourside went down to Howick Pakuranga 40-29 yesterday afternoon.

Harbourside led the first half of the first quarter with hungry defence from Olivia Richardson and a strong defensive attack from Leah Howe, with both players remaining consistent throughout the game. By the second half of that first quarter, however, Howick Pakuranga claimed control to establish a four-point lead.

Harbourside's Leah Howe goes for the ball. Photo / George Novak

That lead increased to 23-12 by the end of the second quarter, with Harbourside struggling to get past Howick Pakuranga's defence, which stretched throughout the court.

Both teams fumbled at the start of the third quarter, giving away the ball to their opponents but Harbourside fought back to reduce the gap to eight points. Howick Pakuranga however, dominated the fourth quarter and claimed an 11-point lead to win 40-29.

Bree Meyer looks to pass against Howick Pakuranga's defence. Photo/George Novak

Harbourside had only managed one win in the competition ahead of today's finals, beating Selwyn 52-21 on Monday.

Coach Jodi Todsaid the tournament had highlighted some weaknesses.

"We've had a few losses, it's been a tough week," Tod said.

The team, which had been preparing for the competition for the past five weeks, had struggled to build combos due to the geographical distance of the team.

"We're just getting it now."

Tod, who is also Harbourside Netball's game development officer, said the U19 age group was one she would like to develop and find a balance that works for everyone.

"It's definitely an age group that we need to identify and grow in our region," Tod said.

"Our players are cross-coding, finding that balance and keeping them here."

Going into finals, Tod said every player knew the job they had to do and hoped the girls would finish the competition on a high on their home ground.

Overall, Todd said every player has had good games during the competition with standout players including Jess Wharekura and Olivia Richardson.

Harbourside's Jess Wharekura takes a shot. Photo/George Novak

The draws for today's finals were being finalised last night.