Netball: WGHS team fight to reserve final

WGHS 10-1 goal shoot Saphire Connelly-Parry takes a high pass. Photo / Judy MacDonald

WGHS 10-1 earned themselves a place in this weekend's premier reserve final after clinching a 51-49 win over Manawanui Development.

WGHS 10-1 started strongly to be ahead by six at the end of the first quarter but Manawanui Development closed the gap to be within two goals at halftime.

They then won the third quarter to level the game and it remained a 46-all draw at fulltime meaning extra time was required. WGHS 10-1 edged ahead in extra time to win 51-49.

For WGHS 10-1, Teaghan Kirby at centre was the player of the day and was well supported by her fellow mid-court players.

Ricco Watts-Niha at goal keep and Uma Robinson at goal defence applied good pressure in the goal circle.

For Manawanui Development, Anastassia Larkin at centre worked tirelessly and got some timely intercepts while Briahn Ruri at goal attack shot confidently to keep Manawanui in the game. Kapua Harris-Otene at goal defence worked hard to apply pressure on the shooters.

Marist 2 will be playing off for third and fourth this weekend after their 41-39 win over Whangaruru 1.

In a see-sawing match, Whangaruru 1 started well to be ahead by three goals at the end of the first quarter.

However, by halftime Marist 2 had taken the lead to be ahead by four goals.

Whangaruru 1 bounced back to be ahead by one goal at the end of the third quarter but Marist 2 turned the tables again in the final quarter to win 41-39.

For Marist 2, Justice Karena played well at goal defence as did Kate Atchison at centre.

The team played with the bare seven players without any substitutions.

For Whangaruru 1, the Liza Taurua opened up the shooting circle which allowed more ball to be fed into the circle.

Hora Hora 1 will now play WGHS 10-1 in the premier reserve final at Kensington's ASB Stadium this Saturday at 5.30pm, followed by the premier women's final between Fideliter 1 and Whangaruru Premier at 7.30pm.

Premier Reserve: WGHS 10-1 51 Manawanui Development 49; Marist 2 41 Whangaruru 1 39; Hora Hora 1, bye; Fideliter 2, bye.