Netball: Predictable premier results

Sophie Tua at GA for Whangaruru being defended by Alexis Chapman at GD for Fideliter 2. Photo/Judy Mac Donald

In what was the first week of the championship round for premier netball, results were slightly predictable as rankings dictated the opening matches, with a 19 point win to Manawanui White over Treewise Marist the closest match.

Despite the predictable overall wins, there was some closely contested quarters and phases of play in all games.

In Manawanui White win, the game was reasonably close for the first half although the victors lead the whole game and won every quarter with the final score being 63-44.

For Manawanui White, Larissa Hona at wing attack did a volume of work and she and Sian Telfer at centre made for a strong mid court combination picking up intercepts and loose ball.

Hayley Thompson at goal keep played a tight defensive game and applied constant pressure on the shooters forcing them to shoot from out wide while Grace Cooper at goal attack played a calm steady game moving strategically around the shooting circle.

For Marist, Tamea Ross at goal attack had a strong game with some accurate shooting while Kimberley Ruth at wing attack delivered the ball well through court and fed the shooters well. She was well supported by Sue Ann Nesbit at wing attack and then goal defence. Puawai Shortland at goal keep had a strong game throughout and combined well with Helen Francis at goal defence.

Meanwhile Whangarei Girls' High School capitalised early on errors by Active Refrigeration Fideliter 1 and played some nice, skilled, netball to be drawn at the first quarter and up by one goal at half time. However, they couldn't go on for the win as they went down 54-33.

After halftime Fideliter 1 put on a much better performance and cohesive team effort to be up by 11 at the end of the third quarter.

For Girls' High, Dani Kirby at wing defence for the whole game did an enormous amount of work and was strong on attack and defence.

For Fideliter 1, both defensive players had great games with Alisha Takimoana at goal keep getting numerous tips and rebounds while Rowie Davis Cooper at goal defence continuously hunted turnover ball and was strong on attack through court. Cassey Cooper at wing attack fed some well-placed passes into Kate Te Whata at goal shoot.

Northland Coastal Development Whangaruru was also slow to start and at the end of the first quarter Active Refrigeration Fideliter 2 was ahead by a goal, although Whangaruru came good to win 55-32.

By half time Whangaruru had put together a good response and were leading by seven goals and at three-quarter time they lead by 19 goals.

For Whangaruru, Reanon Hetaraka Sadler and Liahona Hebden in defence were a force to be reckoned with and they came up with a lot of turnover ball.

In the mid court Renee Paniona at wing defence then centre also had a good defensive game with numerous tips resulting in turnover ball that was converted to points.

Premier results, June 27.

Active Refrigeration Fideliter 1 54 WGHS 1 33

Northland Coastal Development Whangaruru 55 Active Refrigeration Fideliter 2 32

Manawanui White 63 Treewise Marist 44