Netball: All round consistency gives edge

Manawanui Collegiate are the winners of netball's inaugural Collegiate Challenge after they were too strong for Kamo High School, beating them 34-24.

The top four teams played off to determine their final placings. KHS did start well and were a goal up at the end of the first quarter and also won the final quarter by a goal, but Manawanui Collegiate dominated the middle quarters giving them an 11-goal lead heading into the final quarter.

For Manawanui Collegiate the shooting combination of tall goal shooter Jade Rakich and the quick and agile goal attack Melissa Smith were very consistent in their shots. The rest of the team also played solid netball for the duration of the game, demonstrating good attacking and defensive skills.

For KHS 1, shooter Savannah Henare had a strong performance, moving and shooting well. The defence found it hard up against the more polished Manawanui shooters but they had their moments. In mid court the respective players had some good phases of play.

This is the final week of a six-week competition involving six collegiate teams broken into two pools.

The playoff for third and fourth was close, with Pizza Barn BBC Waipu the eventual winners 28-25. However, WGHS 2 can take credit in their performance and the fact that they were winning at half time.