NETBALL - Hard-fought wins put Marist sides atop pools one and two

On-the-edge premier grade netball action kept spectators enthralled with top pool placings up for grabs.
Runners-up in last year's Whangarei Netball competition, Fideliter 1, had a lot to prove in their Friday-night clash with Marist 1, after crumbling against Whangarei Girls' High School last week, losing 43-34.
Marist 1, meanwhile, devoured Fideliter Development 55-31 last week and were looking to do the same to their under-21 side's clubmates. But Fideliter 1 stepped up, and the game went to the wire, Marist eventually winning 35-43.
Fideliter player-coach Loren Eagle was impressed with how her side came back from a four-goal deficit in the second quarter to stick with Marist for the rest of the game. "It was a much, much improved performance from last week's game," she said.
"It was a defensive game and was low scoring ... but in the end I think it came down to our goal average. We had lots of chances at goal - we just needed to utilise them better."
Miranda Jex-Blake had filled in at wing defence for an injured Erin McEvoy (foot), and done an outstanding job, Eagle said.
Marist coach Eve Barton complimented Fideliter's defensive game, and said while her team had moments where the ball flowed beautifully through the court, they struggled at times.
"There were a few unforced turnovers, but that could have been due to the good Fideliter defence," she said.
Marist centre Jayne Southee, who shifted into goal defence, along with Emma Kerner who started at wing defence and moved to centre, were standouts for the team, Barton said.
The win left Marist at the top of pool two, and clubmates Marist Combined followed suit to take top honours in pool one after defeating Whangarei Old Boys 48-40. Last year's premiers are still unbeaten after three rounds.
At Kamo High School, the action was just as tense. Takahiwai, back in premier grade this year, played Manawanui on Friday night. Manawanui won by a goal, 40-39, scored during the final minutes of the game.
Manawanui's height and strength throughout the mid-court was hard to counter Takahiwai, coach Deborah Harding said.
"They are a very physical side in defence but we had that before, so we should have gotten over that," she said.
Plenty of pressure was applied by both sides, forcing turnovers that each side had been able to score off, Harding said.
The match could have gone either way, Takahiwai won the first and final quarters while Manawanui dominated the other two.
Whangarei Girls' High School, boosted by their win last week, hit the court next up, facing Fideliter Development.
The under-21 girls put in a good effort against the schoolgirls, who are growing in confidence each week, but WGHS came out with the win 50-39.
This Friday teams play pool cross-over games for a championship ranking, before heading into promotion-relegation matches.