Netball: Tight games mark third round

The third week of the championship round for Whangarei premier reserve grade netball highlighted how close the competition has become.

Wahine Toa 2 had a narrow win over Takahiwai 1 37-35. For Wahine Toa 2, goal keep Jade Neho played a strong game and goal attack Sharleece Ross Hill worked well with sister Tania Ross Hill in the circle. For Takahiwai 1, Addy Campbell in midcourt played a consistent game and Hannah Edge had a fine game at goal defence.

Educare Fideliter 2 had a good game against Pizza Barn BBC Waipu and were 40-30 winners. BBC Waipu started strongly and won the first quarter but that was the only quarter they won and the only time they led. For Fideliter 2, Megan Christie was the standout player, having stints in four positions during the game.

The Fideliter defence were awesome, forcing the Waipu players to take longer shots and they got a lot of rebounds. For BBC Waipu, the makeshift defence of Jess Cole, normally goal shooter, and Chloe Potich, normally wing defence, produced strong games. In midcourt, Jaimie Newton, playing at wing defence, got numerous tips and intercepts and lined up well with Marama Morunga, who had another impressive game at centre.

BBC Waipu did manage to stay on the heels of Fideliter 2 but missed some vital scoring opportunities during the second half.

Wahine Toa 3 won their game against Craig's Firestone Marist 1 37-30.

The game was close, with only a goal in it at the end of the first quarter, and Marist 1 produced a strong second quarter, winning this by two goals.

For Wahine Toa 3, goal defence Harono Te Iringa did some great defensive work and had an amazing stretch.

In midcourt, centre Telietha Everitt and wing attack Te Mania Te Iringa swiftly delivered ball to the shooters.

Barbara Te Whare, when at goal attack, fed into the circle with precision, and had a strong game when she moved to goal shoot.

For Marist 1, goal keep Francis Coutts worked hard and gained good rebounds. All the midcourters did what was asked, providing the shooters with good ball and assisting in obtaining turnover ball. Jaimee Dunn had a great game at goal attack.