Netball: Huias prevail in face of injuries

TIGHT: Kauri GS Tania Laking (right) feels the heat from Outkast GK Amanda Palmer last night. PHOTO/Warren Buckland

Good teams are ones which adapt in times of adversity and the Hastings High School Old Girls Huias netball team can tick this box off.

Coach of the Proactive-sponsored side Rebecca Martin knew before her team took on All In Elusive in last night's seventh round of the Hawke's Bay Super 6 comp she wouldn't have the services of Emma Vennell, Lee-Anne Taylor and Laike Baker who were all unavailable. Then, a minute into the first quarter, goal shoot Ashlee Wilson went down with an injury which forced her off the court.

Despite these circumstances and a success rate of 59 per cent in the shooting circle Huias went on to win 35-23 at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena.

"It was pretty good to get a win like that under those circumstances. That is going to benefit us coming the business end of the competition," Martin said.

"Our defence was awesome. Whoever we put on defence turned over a lot of ball for us," she added.

Goal keep Alex Balhorn was Huias player-of-the-match. Experienced goal defence Raewyn Parahi was also impressive and Jade Waldin produced quality shifts in the goal defence, wing defence and centre positions.

Poor shooting again proved to be All In's downfall and coach Charissa Barham was disappointed with the 43 per cent success rate. Hawke's Bay under-17 goal shoot Tiara Crichton did some good work off the pine in the final quarter and proved she could be a regular option for Barham in the future.

"We had some promising patches and trailed by two at halftime," Barham said.

Rhandelle Tualafata, who had stints at wing attack and goal attack, was the best of the All In players.

Thirteen-year-old midcourter Parris Petera shone as defending champions Otane Thirsty Whale handed Central Sports Vet Services HB a 64-14 drubbing. A daughter of Otane coach Annemarie Kupa, Petera, played in both the centre and wing attack positions.

Her defensive trio of goal defence Briar Chalmers, goal keep Liana Mikaele-Tu'u and wing defence Claire McGettigan was classy.

Former New Zealand Maori Secondary Schools team goal shoot Kelsey McPhee finished with an 85 per cent success rate for the second consecutive week.

Goal keep Shaye Anderson and wing attack Keryn Marshall toiled tirelessly for Central.

Outkast Optimise Physio remained on track for the third semifinal berth with another polished team effort as they beat Havelock North Jazz Apples Kauri 43-35. Kauri coach Angela Harvey was happy with her side's competitiveness.

"Outkast only got away from us in the final quarter and it was because of our silly mistakes. Our girls are coming along fine," Harvey said.

Experienced goal shoot Tania Laking kept Kauri in the hunt. Goal defence Kelly Greene and centre Sapphire Mullany were also full of authority for Kauri.

With Otane again expected to be the top qualifiers for the semifinals the other teams are doing their best to avoid the fourth spot for the semifinals. All In are likely to end up there but will have to improve or they may finish fifth.