NETBALL: Top teams draw

The match-up of Whangarei netball premier teams ranked first and second at the end of the round robin ended in a draw - leaving Semenoff Transport Fideliter 1 ranked first going into a three-week finals format.
Semco Group Onerahi 1 retain second place based on a goal count back and WGHS 1 are third following a win over Electotrade Manawanui. The Dive Inn Whangaruru is fourth following a comprehensive win over Semco Group Onerahi 2.
In the Fideliter 1 and Onerahi 1 game both teams tended to play safe netball with the score close throughout. The game ended in a 46-all draw.
 Fideliter 1 goal keep Alisha Takimoana played a strong game getting both rebounds and intercepts. Wing defence Helen Francis took a while to settle but then hit her stride.
Acting captain Jo Cooper at wing attack led by examplewhile Lara Tipene at centre picked up vital turnover ball. Onerahi 1's Davina Cooper at goal keep played a good defensive game.
Goal defence Cherith Schraag played off her player and she was successful in picking up tips and intercepts. Both Onerahi shooters worked hard to get the ball closer to the goal to shoot.
WGHS 1 needed the victory and they were determined enough on the night to get it, winning 52-47. Manawanui played a credible game and took a point for being within five goals. WGHS 1 started well but faltered midway with some turnover ball going to Manawanui. Rose Baker at goal shoot and goal attack had another standout game confidently taking shots and going for rebounds and Jade Telfer at goal keep used her height to her advantage towering over the Manawanui shooters and limiting their view of the goal.
Truly Harding had an outstanding game at wing attack and wing defence. Manawanui had a slow start but they found their rhythm and the old partnership of Judy Campbell and Gail Shepherd (returning from injury) had the team firing by the second quarter.
In the third quarter Manawanui brought on 14-year-old Ngaire-Ani Mehana at centre and she proved a nuisance to the opposition. Also, when Hayley Thompson came on for the defensive team she played with skill and determination.
Whangaruru were determined to play themselves into a top four spot and this showed in their game against Onerahi 2 when they won, 68-43. Whangaruru were particularly dominant in the first and last quarter but the second and third quarters were a closer contest with only two and three goals difference in each. Whangaruru's defensive unit including Liahona Hebden at goal keep, Reanon Hereraka Sadler at goal defence and Jackie Henare at wing defence ably assisted by Tara Wells at centre applied excellent pressure on the Onerahi attackers and shooters and Harriett Hardy, on in the second quarter at wing attack, added height and drive to the attacking end.
For Onerahi 2 their defensive team also had a good game and they were put to work up against the tall Whangaruru shooter. Goal keep Andrea Cameron, Kim Leemyer at goal defence and Wendy McCall at wing defence did a volume of work both inside and outside the goal circle. At centre Caitlin McLean threw everything at the game and was responsible for a number of tips and intercepts. She also drove hard on attack. Kylie Wright at goal shoot played a strong and accurate shooting game.
Old Boys 1 had a big 52-27 win over Takahiwai 1 with another good display. Leah Te Iringi at goal keep, Judith Barber at goal defence and Jonette Chapman at wing defence made it hard for the Takahiwai attacks by playing a man to man defence. Takahiwai 1's Belinda Dawson at goal defence worked tirelessly on defence in the circle and on attack through court. Kerry Woodman at centre had a good game and Shannon Tito Edmonds had an excellent game at wing defence, marking her player well and proving useful on attack.