Netball: Place up for grabs in premier division

Rain failed to dampen the spirits of players in the first of three rounds of grading matches in premier and premier reserve netball in Whangarei.

In the Premier grade, only five of last year's six teams remain in the grade, leaving the sixth position open for qualification by the top ranked Premier Reserve team at the end of the grading in two weeks.

Player movement between clubs, and new selections have seen changes to the composition of many teams.

This is particularly noticeable in the Whangaruru premier team. The 2015 Premier runner-up lost both their grading games on Friday. Firstly to Manawanui White who won 22-11, and secondly to WGHS Snr 1 in a close game that was drawn at half-time with the school girls edging it out to win by one point 18-17. Despite the changes to the Whangaruru team, three of their senior and experienced players and coach were committed to basketball on Friday and unavailable. Their return next week will be welcomed.

WGHS Snr 1, Manawanui White and Active Refrigeration Fideliter 1 were all unbeaten after the first week of premier grading.

In the Premier Reserve grade results were mixed, proving that this grade continues to be one that is very closely contested. Hora Hora 1 was the only team to be unbeaten. However, their game against Active Refrigeration Fideliter 2 was one of two halves. The Hora Hora team stunned Fideliter in the first half storming out to a 17-4 lead and while there was only one point separating the teams in the second half, Hora Hora's strong start was unsurmountable and they won the game convincingly 21-9.

Grading continued for other Senior grades on Saturday, while the Intermediates had their first round of grading on Friday afternoon.

Junior netball will start on Saturday.

Whangarei netball results:

Premier: WRU Premier 11 vs Manawanui White 22, WGHS Snr 1 21 vs Manawanui Red 13, Fideliter 1 29 vs Manawanui Red 8, WRU Premier 17 vs WGHS Snr 1 18.
Premier Reserve: Hora Hora 1 21 vs Fideliter 2 9, WGHS Snr 2 18 vs Marist 1 9, Mana Blue 8 vs Whangaruru 1 16, Hora Hora 1 19 vs Whangaruru 1 16, WGHS Snr 2 8 vs Mana Blue 12, Marist 1 21 vs Fideliter 2 8.