NETBALL: Onerahi sides face off

In the second week of the preliminary Premier round, there were a couple of low scoring close games but in the main the games had big scores and large margins again as expected.

Despite the scores in some instances it is clear that we have emerging youth that are coming to the fore as real raw talent despite the ranking of their respective teams.

The two Semco Group Onerahi teams met this round in a strongly contested match with Onerahi 1 the eventual winners, 52-40.

Onerahi 2 team did well to stay in the game against a patchy Onerahi 1, who lost momentum when player/coach Sharna May went down midway through the game.

The new combinations took time to adjust, with the third quarter a draw.

Captain Jane Southee (C) drove hard to the ball, defended well and fed the shooters.

Onerahi 2's 16-year-old Dana Antunovich at goal attack had a strong driving game and showed commitment and maturity.

Wing defence Tracey Stewart was also strong on attack and Hayley Taylor and Sarah Nicholas combined well on defence, frustrating the shooters and getting valuable intercepts tips and rebounds.

Active Refrigeration Fideliter 1 (ranked 1) were up against Wahine Toa 2 (7) and showcased Fideliter 2 and 3 players in their 68 to 34 win.

Alisha Takimoana, Andi Roberts and Ajay Young worked well together in defence to force turnover ball from Wahine Toa.

Suzie Kingi played in several mid court positions and was the critical link for the Fideliter team.

The combination of shooters including Trina Henare, Kellie Metcalf (Fideliter 3), and Jessie McClintock Maihi at goal attack and wing attack fed the circle well with the standout shooter being Cassey Rudolph who shot at around 90 per cent.

For Wahine Toa, 15-year-old Sharleece Ross Hill at goal attack again had an outstanding game, working the court and circle and shooting under strong pressure from the experienced and tall defenders. She was assisted with some good attacking play by Harmony Kingi who worked tirelessly in the mid court.

In the defence, Jade Wheoki did manage to come up with some intercepts against the more experienced shooters.

Northland Coastal Development Whangaruru (ranked 3) led all the way in their game against Manawanui (5) winning 61-36. Manawanui did however win the 3rd quarter.

For Whangaruru, Jackie Herawini at wing defence played an outstanding game getting tips, intercepts and turnover ball. Sophie Tua, firstly goal shoot then goal attack was an important link for the Whangaruru team working hard on defence and then on attack bringing the ball through the court.

She also shot with high accuracy not allowing the defence any opportunity for rebounds.

For Manawanui, Ayla Aekins Rielly at goal keep had an outstanding game forcing a lot of turnover ball. Tara Wells at wing attack and then centre worked tirelessly bringing the ball through the court. And Gail Shepherd at goal shoot and then goal attack showed her class and experience creating good space and shooting consistently.

In the final game WGHS 1 (ranked 4) again had a strong start winning the first half against Wahine Toa 1 (ranked 6) but Wahine Toa won the second half.

In another nail biter for their supporters, WGHS clung on to a win, 42-40.

For WGHS 1 Shannon George and Jess Hita combined well in the defence circle in the first half to limit supply of ball to the shooters.

In the second half Lucy Shand-Pia came on in defence and was effective.

Jacinta Matson had another strong game in the mid court linking defence and attack. Manaaki Peri at goal shoot had an excellent game.

For Wahine Toa 1 Trudy Williams at first wing defence then centre had a standout game feeding the ball well on attack and getting a number of intercepts on defence.

Despite the turnover ball Wahine Toa 1 were not able to consistently take this through the court to finish with a goal.

Jaelyn Walker - normally goal keep - played goal shoot this week and she stepped up to this task moving and shooting well.