NETBALL: Competitive Fideliter upset form book

Promoted side Fideliter, with livewire defender Lauren Eagle to the fore, are making their opponents sit up and take notice after a strong victory over the experienced Hora Hora 47-38 in Whangarei Premier Netball on Saturday.
Eagle was instrumental throughout the match with Hora Hora unable to curb her enthusiasm and that of her team mates which made a mockery of all predictions going into the match.
Ann-Marie Beazley in wing defence also had her game of the season in a tenacious performance and combined well with Eagle and Bridget Eilering in an effective defensive trio for Fideliter.
The match started pretty even with both sides trading points and Ringi Hohepa for Hora Hora the form shooter for her side.
The second quarter brought substitutions for both sides with Fideliter bringing captain Ursula Albrecht into the game at centre, and Hora Hora making a number of changes.
Albrecht proved to be a strong tactical move, steadying the ship through court and providing some sure feeding options on attack.
It was in the second and third periods that Fideliter took control of the match with Hora Hora clearing out their bench to try to counter the momentum and peg back what had climbed to an 18-point advantage.
Going into the final period the experience of Hora Hora finally found some rhythm and began to pull back the advantage, but the damage was done and Fideliter held on to take an emphatic victory.
A sparkling performance from Hayley Barrell ensured Marist Combined have both hands firmly on the favourites tag in the championship round with a comfortable win over Whangarei Girls High School 59-32 in the rain.
The wet weather clearly affected the normally speedy schoolgirls, appearing tentative in the wet which played into the hands of the hugely experienced Combined side.
Poor passing cost them dearly with Barrell and Jackie Hirawini in wing defence making the most of their defensive opportunities.
Nicky Taylor in shoot was again the rock for Combined, lifting the confidence in her side by banking possession on to the score card and making life increasingly difficult for WGHS.
Thirteen-year-old Alisha Leef was the pick of the bunch for WGHS with a strong game in wing defence, and later in goal defence which indicates the huge potential of the youngster. Also the ever-reliable Anita Semenoff continued to deliver for her side throughout.
In the final match of the day, Marist 1 look to be back on track, beating Takahiwai 54-45.
Hit hard by player availability, Marist reminded other teams why they are not a side to be taken lightly with an almost flawless first quarter to take a 25-3 lead going into the second period.
Captain Davina Cooper lead by example with an outstanding match in defence. Her workrate was excellent and she directed her side to good effect.
Marist deprived Takahiwai of possession through the first period and delivered the ball well through court to gain the huge advantage.
However Takahiwai regathered themselves at the break and showed real grit and unity to ensure Marist were not going to have it all their own way.
Some lapses in concentration from Marist and a step up in intensity from Takahiwai started a steady comeback of this huge deficit. Takahiwai's Kerry Woodman was effective in centre for her side, bringing a nice composed performance and played an excellent match throughout. But it was Takahiwai's complete unit which started to rattle Marist and brought them right back into a match which Marist should have taken more comprehensively.