NETBALL - On-fire students dish out upset

Whangarei Girls' High School provided the upset of the season with their victory over highly fancied Manawanui 25-24 in Whangarei Premier Netball on Saturday.
WGHS Goal keeper Meg Skryme, a standout performer early in a tireless defensive display, came up with numerous tips and intercepts to halt any potential advantage for Manawanui.
At halftime WGHS held a one point advantage, to their delight, but they needed to hold their resolve and maintain their advantage for another two quarters.
The entire WGHS squad appeared to be on a course in this match.
Emma Smith had another strong showing, firstly in the midcourt then taking her speed into the shooting circle and teaming up with Skryme in defence to good effect.
Goal attack Morgan Taurua used her height well not only on attack but also in defensive pressure throughout the match.
Several substitutions and changes from Manawanui were not able to rattle the schoolgirls' momentum and they held on to take an emphatic victory.
WGHS coach Hayley Barrell was really proud of her girls: "It all came together finally; it was a long time coming. They were all on fire and they really kept their heads, I'm just so stoked for them."
Fideliter 1 came back from a sluggish first quarter to take a hard-fought victory over Marist 1 27-23 in the rain.
Marist got the better start of the two in the wet, with good defensive pressure and urgency to get the early jump over Fideliter and take the advantage into the first break.
Fideliter picked up their momentum in the second period and began chipping away at Marist. Good changes of pace and driving into space paid dividends with the scores 12-all at halftime.
A strong match from Fideliter Captain Ursula Albrecht in wing attack ensured possession was marshalled into her shooting circle to good effect.
The third quarter saw some changes from Marist, which brought some benefits early. But Fideliter kept their heads and continued to focus on the job, not allowing any surges from Marist. At the end of the third period, Fideliter had gained a slim lead.
Fideliter defenders Loren Eagle and Megan Henderson were making their presence felt in the back, while Renee Lowther and Kimberley Biggs worked hard through the midcourt throughout the match.
Marist provided glimpses of what they are capable of, but were unable to string these strong passages together enough to stop Fideliter growing in confidence.
Harriett Hardy was accurate in shoot, and Davina Cooper worked tirelessly in defence, but things didn't quite gel on the day.
Some tactical changes from Fideliter going into the fourth quarter brought the added height and fresh legs of Andrea Cameron into the shooting circle, and a position change in the midcourt paid dividends early.
Fideliter grew in confidence and made use of the bonus possession gained by their mobile defensive unit, and took the match 27-23.
Marist Old Girls held off a spirited challenge from Whangarei Old Boys to bank another victory, 29-21, and keep their unbeaten record intact.
Both sides came out firing in the first quarter, trading blows and goals to keep their sidelines suitably nervous throughout the first half.
Versatile Old Boys player Rowena Davis-Cooper in goal defence was disrupting Old Girls attack throughout the match. Her aerial style and speed in even the most confined spaces was a delight. Teaming up with Alisha Takimoana and Jonette Chapman, Davis-Cooper's intensity did not wane throughout the match.
The third quarter has proven testing for many sides in the competition this year and Old Boys fell victim to a lacklustre start to the second half, which allowed the experienced Old Girls to get the advantage and force Old Boys into playing catch-up netball in the final period.
Clearly in a strong position, Old Girls did not allow their advantage to slip and showed only a complete performance would be enough to shake them off the top spot.
With the preliminary round wrapped up, next week attention turns to promotion relegation matches where, despite their wins, Fideliter 1 and WGHS will face premier reserve side Takahiwai 1 and Wahine Toa 1 to hold their premier place for the all-important championship round.