Netball: Teams battle in wintry weather

The Premier Reserve's younger teams have showed their mettle after a round of see-sawing netball matches in wet and cold conditions.

Huanui Silver burst out of the gates in their game against Manawanui Blue on Saturday, and took a 14-8 lead after the first quarter.

Lauren Kendrick in the defence circle stayed tight on her opposition and was successful in turning over the ball, which enabled Huanui to continue to have the lead at the half time break.

As the game progressed Manawanui started to put pressure on the Huanui feed and it paid off as they started to win turn over ball, which was converted by the shooters, and the lead was slowly clawed back. In the end Manawanui ran out of time, and by the final whistle, the score was all tied up at 34 all.

The game between WGHS Snr 2 and Wahine Toa Combined, started in much the same fashion with the school girls taking an early and impressive 11-4 lead. This was the result of some great defensive tips and pressure from Ricco Niha. Wahine Toa fought back in the second quarter, but were still one behind at the half time break.

The WGHS team found a way to slow the Wahine Toa attack in the third, and held on to their slim lead. However, by the fourth quarter, the wiser netball heads in the Wahine Toa team had figured the younger girls out and turned over a significant amount of ball. The shooting combination of Maria Dick and Danielle Barlow made the school girls pay with a massive final quarter winning the game 40-29.

In the final game between Hora Hora and Marist, the second quarter proved to be the winning one as Hora Hora took a 26-11 lead into half time. While Marist worked hard in the second half, it was only enough to keep Hora Hora from extending their lead any further. For Hora Hora, Kyla Williams at GS showed great composure and her game was unaffected by the other positional changes around her, working equally well with all her team mates. Hora Hora won the match 41-27, and are now the only premier reserve side to have won all their games thus far, after a bittersweet win against Wahine Toa Combined in the May 14 round.

Wahine Toa went into the final quarter leading by three. In the final quarter Hora Hora WA Marama Flay-Alkers ruptured her achilles and the game was relocated to an alternative court. Following the injury, Hora Hora dug deep, winning the match 43-40.

The match between WGHS Snr 2 and Manawanui Blue was another close encounter, WGHS held on in the final quarter eventually winning 33- 30.

Marist 1 and Huanui Silver game was a one-sided affair, with Huanui taking the lead early, and coming home 57-22.

Whangarei Netball Premier Reserve results:

WGHS Snr 2 29 Wahine Toa Combined 40

Hora Hora 1 41 Marist 1 27

Manawanui Blue 34 Huanui Silver 34