Marist Premier stay up but Manawanui Red go down

Last year's most outstanding netballer for Whangarei, Cherith Schragg. PHOTO/RON BURGIN

After a two-week break, netballers took to the courts in Whangarei to battle it out for grading and promotion-relegation.

The scene was set for some tough and competitive netball and even the weather played its part with brilliant sunshine and blue skies.

In grading promotion-relegation the top two teams from the grade below challenge the bottom two teams from the grade above.

For premier and premier reserve on Saturday, this saw Marist Premier and Manawanui Red play both Whangarei Girls' High School 1 and Fideliter 2.

With a win over both teams Marist Premier maintained a place in premier division, however with two losses Manawanui Red were relegated to the top of premier reserve. Girls' High with one win did enough to fill the final sixth vacant spot in premiers.

For premier reserve, Senior A1 and College A1 grades this saw Manawanui Collegiate Red play Kamo High School 1, Girls' High 2 against Fideliter 3, and Marist 3 take on Wahine Toa 2.

With two wins Manawanui Collegiate Red stay in premier reserve, as does Active Refrigeration Fideliter 3 with one win.

Because premier reserve is an open grade, Marist 3 then played Kamo High 1 to determine whether the top senior team or top college team from A1 grade moved up into premier reserve.

Kamo High 1 were the winners of this tightly contested game by a narrow three goal difference.

Saturday also saw grading promotion-relegation being played across all other senior grades, college grades and intermediate grades. Juniors also returned for their second week of normal competition.

The preliminary competition, which will be played as a round robin will begin on Friday night for premiers - with three games from 6pm at Kensington Stadium.

For all other senior, college and intermediate grades the preliminary competition will start on Saturday from 8.30 am at the Whangarei Netball Centre courts.