Marist Social had a comfortable 42-31 win over Precision Planning Fideliter 3 in Whangarei Netball Centre's premier reserve grade.
Marist Social's Frances Coutts played a strong defensive game and Pip Dickson assisted at wing defence, providing good driving ball. The shooting combinations of Alana Ringrose, Cheryl Hayes and Germaine Gibson rotated,
combining and shooting well. For Fideliter 3, Debbie Parsons was a workhorse at centre and Anna Whittingham played a strong and consistent game at wing defence.
The Dive Inn Whangaruru 1 confirmed their position at the top of the reserve grade with a 70-35 win over Wahine Toa Combined. Whangaruru 1's Sophie Tua at goal attack led by example and was difficult to shut down. Tua was ably assisted by shooter Karlene Kingi and by some good feeding by Harriett Hardy. In the second half, Kea Randall in defence also had a strong game for Whangaruru.
Wahine Toa 1 cemented their opportunity to try for promotion into premier grade with a 45-39 win over Global Diamonds Fideliter 2 but the game could have gone Fideliter's way as they led in the third quarter.
For Fideliter 2 the defence unit of Anne Marie Beazley and Carren Walker worked tirelessly and Sarah Morgan and Paula Martin combined well in mid court providing some good attacking ball to the shooters. Tenacious Wahine Toa 1 went after every ball.
The mother and daughter shooting combination of Barbara Te Whare and Tiletha Everitt for most of the game received some high ball and were hard to shut down.
There is no play Queen's Birthday except for premier grade and then it's promotion relegation on June 11 for all senior and intermediate grades.
