NETBALL: Arataki pip champs for title

It's what Arataki aimed for all season - to be crowned Harbourside Netball premier champions.
And after an impressive netball display in the final showdown of the season, the team claimed the title and got their hands on the silverware.
The decisive 60-50 win ended Maheatataka's hopes of claiming their third consecutive championship win. It just wasn't the reigning champ's night.
Already winners of the Baywide title five days earlier, Arataki were thrilled to add the Harbourside title to their haul, capping a successful campaign.
Captain Wai Emery, still recovering from a bout of the flu, praised her side for getting the basics right.
"I told them from the start we needed to do the basics right, use the width of the court and play our own game," said Emery, who led from the front at wing attack. "This is what we wanted all season."
Maheatataka coach Beverly Southee credited the opposition with a great game, saying they deserved to win.
"Having said that we didn't let go at all through the game and we ended up scoring the last goal as proof of that."
The loss had her vowing to bring back a bigger and better team for a shot at the premier title next year.
"We've given a few of the young ones a taste this season so that will help us next year. Watch out."
Consolation for Maheatataka, after a rocky road to the finals in the Harbourside competition, was winning the Baywide second division title, beating Opotiki 64-45 last weekend.
But in Thursday night's showdown Arataki surged ahead within minutes of the whistle, taking advantage of a shaky Maheatataka start.
Throughout the game, basic errors let Maheatataka down against a slick, fast-paced unit who made the most of turnover and played a formidable defensive game.
The game was won in the first 15 minutes, with Arataki leading 18-11, although Maheatataka showed flashes of brilliance, whipping the ball through the centre court and into the circle.
But stray passes to shooters Kerry Hetia and Shelly Harawira were quickly intercepted by Arataki defenders Megan Adler and Micheala Anderson.
During the second spell Maheatataka managed to peg back the lead to 33-23. Centre Sharmaine Bunting combined well with wing attack Teresa Dobbs in driving the ball through the court and at times catching the Arataki defence napping.
During the third quarter, the tables turned with Maheatataka slotting 15 goals to Arataki's 14 and at one stage came within six points. But it wasn't enough to quell the Arataki machine.
Youngster Biannca Kiwi-Ohia McLeod stepped up for Arataki, landing plenty of goals from all round the circle. It was the second match of the night for the 16-year-old, who earlier fronted for her Mount Maunganui College side.
In the other final games of the night, the premier division 2 title went to Rangiuru which dispatched Rangataua 49-44. In division three it was a Mount Maunganui shoot-out with the club's No 2 side pipping their third side 38-35.