Netball: Class prevails in opening round

Premier netball in Northland has officially tipped off, with round one producing few close matches as expected.

With the higher ranked teams taking on the lower, there was only one close game in the middle order. However, despite the scores, an eight- team premier indoor competition gives more teams the opportunity to play indoors, and for up-and-coming players to play with and against some of the top players in the Whangarei competition.

Treewise Marist fought hard against Manawanui Red to come away with a 58-45 win on the weekend, after holding a six goal lead at halftime. Marist led all the way and had a big first and final quarter. Manawanui, however, did draw the third quarter managing to get nine consecutive goals without reply.

For Marist, Helen Francis and Kelly Middleton in defence combined well together and ably got numerous rebounds and intercepts.

The newcomers to the team played well with Kim Ruth, firstly wing defence then wing attack, having a particularly strong game.

For Manawanui, goalkeep Hayley Thompson worked tirelessly the whole game coming up with a number of tips and intercepts.Gail Shepherd at goal attack and Ringi Hohepa at goal shoot showed their experience, patience and consistency, combining well.

The new and young WGHS 1 team started reasonably against the more polished and practiced Active Refrigeration Fideliter 1 and at halftime they could take heart that they had only lost the second quarter by a goal, and overall were only eight goals behind.

The second half of the game was an entirely different story with Fideliter 1 making changes that had a significant impact on the game and allowing them to step it up several gears. In the third and final quarters the Fideliter 1 team dominated, with Fideliter 1 goal defence Rowena Davis Cooper continually frustrating the young WGHS shooters by obtaining turnover ball.

Fideliter centre Lara Tipene had a stand-out performance in the mid-court, hunting tips and intercepts while also controlling the ball on attack through court with precision.

Kate Te Whata at goal shoot in the second half had a strong and confident game, shooting at a high percentage and receiving some high ball.

For WGHS 1 a lack of attention to basic skills proved costly and in the second half they struggled to get the ball through the mid court.

WGHS 1's coach said she felt the team lacked dedication and tenacity which have been the hallmark of successful WGHS teams in the past. Fideliter 1 easily won 69-26.