Netball: Hora Hora surge to title

The Hora Hora premier reserve netball team celebrate winning this year's title. Photo / Judy MacDonald

Hora Hora nudged aside WGHS 10-1 in the premier reserve netball final to secure this year's title with a hard-fought 58-49 win.

WGHS 10-1 started strongly to lead by four goals at the end of the first quarter and at halftime.

However, Hora Hora 1 had a big third quarter to claw their way back into the game and safeguard their hopes of attaining the championship.

Hora Hora's Leah Claridge at goal keep and Angela Wiki at goal defence worked tirelessly. Leah Valli on wing defence also made an impact, especially when combined with Hayley Taylor.

Kim Neumann and Marama Flay-Walker were also strong in the midcourt and there was some precise feeding into Manaaki Peri at goal shoot.

For WGHS 10-1, Saphire Connelly-Parry at goal shoot and Carly Job at goal attack had great performances and shot confidently for most of the game.

The midcourt combination of Teaghan Kirby, Kelena Roughan and O'Shea Macmillian was on form although the Girls' High defence struggled at times.

In other playoff games, Manawanui Development were slow to hit their straps against Marist 2 before winning 51-42 and securing third place.

Not much separated the teams in the first half but Manawanui Development managed to steady their lead in third quarter, skipping ahead by nine goals.

For Manawanui Development, Irihaapeti Te Whata at goal keep had an outstanding game and was ably assisted by Kapua Harris-Otene at goal defence.

Annatassia Larkin at centre played a solid game while Paige Neho, at goal shoot, was confident in the circle.

For Marist 2 the standout player was Justice Karena at wing defence.

Whangaruru 1 had a good, 54-28 win over Fideliter 2 to take fifth place.

Whangaruru led from start to finish and won every quarter.

For Whangaruru 1, Wahine Lomas and Naomi Judd at goal keep had outstanding games while the injection of Liza Taurua at goal shoot made a difference inside the shooting circle.

For Fideliter 2, Ruth Prime at goal defence secured a lot of turnover ball.