Manawanui White goal shoot Jaelyn Walker extends to receive a high pass during her team's Friday night win over Whangaruru Prems.
The second week of the preliminary round for Premier netball saw the intensity of competition lift from last weekend.
Now sitting near the top of the ladder, Whangarei Girls' High School (WGHS) Senior 1 will be happy to have come away with their second win.
In their game against the recently promoted Manawanui Red, WGHS started strong to lead by seven at the end of the first quarter.
The young team faltered slightly in the second quarter allowing Manawanui to reduce the difference to just five.
After that, WGHS finished strongly winning the remaining two quarters to win 59-45.
For WGHS 1, Amy Payton at goal defence was tenacious and persistent while Maddy Gordon and Serai Murray-Wihongi, in the mid court, were strong and connected well.
Leihana Shelford-Tito at goal attack took the lead role in the shooting circle, sinking some long range shots.
For Manawanui Red the defensive combination of Ari Ihaka and Janice Brown is getting stronger every week, but Ihaka's speed, vision and skill this week was outstanding.
In the shooting circle, Raina Smith came on later in the game and finished with a shooting average above 90 per cent.
In contrast, Whangaruru Prems suffered their second consecutive loss.
While they started strongly against Manawanui White, the second half went the way of Manawanui White - the final score 64-48.
For Manawanui White, Larissa Hona, at centre, was a workhorse on attack and defence, creating great links throughout the court, while Ayla Reilly and Kaea Robinson presented themselves as a strong and consistent combination on defence.
For Whangaruru Prems, Nicky Taylor came out of retirement to play a highly credible game at goal shoot.
Playing YHPJ Marist, Active Refrigeration Fideliter 1 showed their dominance with a good win. However it was a game of two entirely different halves.
Fideliter 1 started strongly and were up by 12 at the end of the first quarter.
To say that the game was won and lost in the first half is an accurate description.
For Fideliter 1, Rowie Davis-Cooper at goal attack and Cassey Cooper at goal shoot both shot at 80 per cent to give their team a strong start in the first half.
Kacey Potae, at goal keep, worked tirelessly to shut down the shooters and was successful in obtaining rebounds.
For Marist, Natalie Willcox was effective at wing defence while Kaea Kaka settled the mid court.
Terrianne Tukulua and Carys Burkhardt, in the goal circle, stood up well against an experienced defensive unit and made the most of their opportunities.
'Our heart goes out to Kath’s husband, their children, friends and whānau.'