NETBALL - Huge performances as teams shoot for finals spots

The final matches of the Whangarei netball championship round brought some huge performances, with teams battling for finals berths next weekend.
Old Boys turned it up another notch to break Manawanui's momentum and win their match 44-38. It was a hotly contested match right from the first whistle, with neither team getting the upper hand and both sides tied at 11-all at the end of the first quarter.
Old Boys changed regular defender Aleisha Takimoana into the shooting circle, which paid dividends. Takimoana brought a new confidence to the Old Boys' attack, her height offering clear options for passing and rebounds, as well as some accurate shooting.
In the second quarter Old Boys appeared to take a slight advantage, with consistent defensive pressure from Sue-Anne David bringing up some valuable bonus possession.
In the final period it was still anyone's match but with some frustration creeping into the Manawanui attack. The momentum belonged to Old Boys and they eventually took the hard-fought victory.
Marist Old Girls sweated out their first hard victory this season at the hand of clubmates Marist 1, with the Old Girls prevailing 44-40.
Marist meant business from the first whistle, having an exceptional first quarter taking advantage of a slow start from the Old Girls and their accurate shooters, Krystal Norman and Davina Cooper, banking the points. The second period saw both teams working as a unit and not letting up - at the end of the first half it was difficult to separate the two.
It remained tight right through to the final period, both sides trading blows and not willing to give an inch, and with less than a minute remaining in the match it was still pretty much all tied up. Then the Old Girls' experience and cool heads came to the fore, a tiny lapse in concentration from Marist and the Old Girls took the win.
In the other premier match Fideliter were forced into somewhat of a comeback to take their victory against Whangarei Girls' High School, 50-40.
WGHS hit the court running and caught Fideliter napping. Goal attack Morgan Taurua's accurate shooting and through-court defence was a real headache for Fideliter and the schoolgirls held the advantage at the end of the first quarter. In the second half the schoolgirls appeared to drop off a bit and Fideliter were only too happy to take advantage. Fideliter's bonus possession and sterling work from centre Ursula Albrecht and wing defence Kimberley Biggs added to Fideliter's confidence. The introduction of Natasha Callister in goal shoot for WGHS paid dividends. Callister worked the circle well and her shooting was accurate. The fourth quarter brought more changes from WGHS but they were unable to gain the advantage, Fideliter taking the 10-point victory.