Netball: Action fast, furious - and close

Similar to the premier grade, there were two close scores in the first week of the preliminary round for premier reserve netballers.

Recently promoted Kamo High School 1 played a credible first premier reserve game and the young team showed fitness and skill against the more experienced Manawanui Red team.

The scores were level after the first quarter but, by halftime, Manawanui Red had taken a lead of five goals.

They were able to build on this advantage in the third quarter to lead by eight goals.

However, Kamo had a great final quarter and they won that period convincingly, to whittle the lead back to just three.

The final score was 38-35 to Manawanui Red.

For Manawanui Red, Tegan Musgrove at goal shoot and Kyla Williams at goal attack provided some accurate shooting while Janice Brown at goal defence and Jackie Henare at goal keep combined well at the other end to keep Kamo's shooters at bay.

Shannon Te Ao at wing defence also assisted with the defensive effort.

For Kamo, Irihaapeti Te Whata Ashby at goal keep combined well with Sarah Griffin at goal defence. They worked tirelessly and got some good intercepts for their efforts. Ellis Snowden at wing defence was outstanding, putting pressure on the attack with good help and support from Sophie Jennings at centre.

In the other close game, Manawanui Collegiate Red - the other college team in this grade - pulled off a win at the final whistle with a penalty shot.

The game was close throughout and, at halftime, the scores were level. Wahine Toa pulled ahead slightly at the end of the third quarter but they could not sustain this and the young collegiate team had a big final quarter to take the win 32-31.

For Manawanui Collegiate Red, Chelsea Grace at goal defence early on, Kaea Robinson at goal keep, then goal defence, and Aiyana Matatia at goal keep later on, combined well and did some great defence.

Captain Annatassia Larkin at centre worked hard to bring the ball through the court with assistance from Kyla Moore at wing attack. Amira Te Iringa at goal shoot in the final quarter shot the final goal to secure the win and she combined well with Lil Reihana at goal attack.

And the final game was a close one, until the final quarter that is.

Marist started slowly to trail Fideliter 3 by five goals after the first quarter and at halftime. But with increased effort from Marist, by the third quarter the scores were level.

Marist, however, had a great final quarter and ended up winning convincingly 51-38.

For Fideliter 3, Tina Cachemaille at goal keep and Anna Pascoe at goal defence worked tirelessly, rebounding ball and chasing loose ball.

Ann Marie Beazley at centre controlled the ball through the midcourt and Nicky Edwards at wing attack delivered some clean ball into the circle. The combination of Carren Walker at goal shoot and Megan Christie at goal attack proved successful, with both players shooting accurately.