Netball: Fideliter side too good for Onerahi

Leading sides Active Refrigeration Fideliter 1 and Semco Group Onerahi 1 faced off in the fifth week of Whangarei premier grade netball.

Fideliter 1 were the eventual winners 53-41 but there were periods during the game when it was close and there were only three goals in it at halftime.

Fideliter's Alisha Takimoana and Rowena Davis Cooper were outstanding in defence, while Ajay Young at wing defence was the standout player in mid-court.

The team welcomed back Trina Henare at goal attack and she combined well with Jess McClintock Maihi at goal shoot.

For Onerahi 1, Jayne Southee at centre played well and Sue Ann David in goal defence had an exceptional defensive game. The various Onerahi 1 defensive combinations did turn over ball, however, the attackers weren't always able to look after the ball and convert it into goals.

Northland Coastal Development Whangaruru had a comprehensive win over the young WGHS 1 team, which is still plagued by injuries.

The 65-36 score meant the young WGHS team were never really in the hunt, especially after they started the game with just six players. This game provided Whangaruru with the opportunity to try different combinations leading into the final games of the competition including using Morgan Taurua, normally a shooter, in defence. Liahona Hebden and Reanon Hetaraka-Sadler and Taurua in defence all worked well together throughout the game. Jamiee Lee Tito in centre was fantastic and Shawni Paniona at goal attack provided consistent shooting and some strong rebounds. The young WGHS players never gave up and did get some turnover ball but weren't able to capitalise on the few errors that Whangaruru did make. Manaaki Peri back from injury into goal shoot had a strong game and Olivia Lobb playing up from WGHS 2 had a strong showing coming on at the last quarter at goal attack.

The game between Treewise Marist Old Girls and Semco Group Onerahi 2 was an interesting game to watch with play going to and from both ends of the court. The final score didn't really reflect the overall game with Marist Old Girls winning 60-31. For Marist Old Girls, Helen Francis at goal defence and Kelly Middleton at goal keep combined well and got several intercepts and rebounds. Tracey Bradley at centre had a solid first half with some great driving on to the circle edge and some timely tips and intercepts. The injection of Shannon French later in the game into wing attack and centre opened up the court for Marist and she provided the shooters with some good ball. Nicky Taylor at goal shoot and Rose Baker at goal attack combined well and had a high shooting percentage.

For Onerahi 2, Tracey Stewart at goal keep played an excellent game and managed to outjump the taller Marist goal shooter and Sarah Nichols at goal defence had another strong game. Both Stewart and Nichols managed to get some good intercepts and rebounds but these were not always converted into goals. Jess Lowe at centre worked overtime and did the hard yards. Donna Stratford back from injury and playing both goal shoot and goal attack had a solid match and she controlled the shooting circle with fine positional play and shooting.

Manawanui 1 had a good win over Wahine Toa 1, 50-38, but at halftime there were only three goals in it. Manawanui benefited from an outstanding third quarter and they scored 10 consecutive goals which Wahine Toa 1 were never able to claw back. For Manawanui, it was a consistent shooting effort from captain and goal shooter Gail Shepherd. And the Manawanui defensive unit applied good pressure, especially in the final quarters of the game.

For Wahine Toa, Gladys Himiona and Trudy Williams were a great combination in mid-court showing commitment and driving well to bring the ball down to Kahu Dick at goal attack and Maria Dick at goal shoot, both of whom showed accuracy in the shooting circle. In defence, Jaelyn Walker and Zarrah Pineaha had outstanding games, getting intercepts and rebounds.