NETBALL - Premier pair retain spots for title shot

Fideliter 1 and Whangarei Girls' High School 1 retained their Premier status after promotion-relegation matches in Whangarei netball.
Despite spirited challenges on Saturday from promotion hopefuls and top of Premier Reserve, Takahiwai 1 and Kamo High School 1, the premier sides banked two strong wins.
WGHS had a hard slog against Takahiwai in their first match with Takahiwai scoring quickly, building an early advantage early and holding that lead through to the second quarter.
Takahiwai were in a good position for promotion. They needed the victory over WGHS, and showed their commitment in the early passages.
However, it wasn't going to be an easy task. WGHS rallied in the second period and started to show the form which had them challenge some higher ranked sides in premier.
The schoolgirls put themselves back into the match and a seesaw battle eventuated, with both sides sharing the advantage and at times putting their bodies on the line for possession.
In a flurry of activity in the final stages, WGHS gained a slight advantage for a hard-fought 39-35 victory.
On the other side of the draw Fideliter 1 took on Kamo High School 1 in their first match of the day.
Both sides started the match in a flurry of activity and worked hard to score off possession in the wet, KHS looking for their height in the shooting circle to slot their points. It worked at times, however, Fideliter got into their work with strong defensive pressure through court which forced the schoolgirls into errors which cost them in momentum.
Fideliter rang the changes in the second half, clearly looking to run their entire squad, but the pressure didn't let up. KHS did not let up either, continuing to pressure every pass and make Fideliter work hard for the full match.
Fideliter grew in confidence and eventually took the win 37-29.
Takahiwai were next to take on Fideliter, in a match which had the potential to turn either way.
Fideliter were only too aware of Takahiwai's ability to put in an amazing performance when required and started the match with vigour.
It was just as well for Fideliter, as Takahiwai too shot out of the blocks early in the first period, as the early exchanges were goal for goal.
Fideliter kept building on their confidence throughout the day, standing up to the pressure. They gave themselves room to move on attack and made sure to score off bonus possession.
Takahiwai started to fade in parts of the final quarter and Fideliter took a comfortable victory 30-15 and retained their spot in Premier for the championship round.
In the match of the day, it was school rivalry with Whangarei Girls' High School amped for a win over Kamo High School.
A torrid exchange ensued in the first period, with both sides giving an exciting display of speed and aerial play through court, in some competitive exchanges.
Kamo High School could have claimed the advantage, combining well and showing some nice cohesion, while WGHS warmed into each quarter with the points counting on the scorecard.
KHS' height advantage wasn't enough to take the match, with WGHS booking their spot in Premier for the championship round with a 37-29 win.
Next week the important championship round gets under way, with no room for error as every match counts towards a shot at the title.