Promotion/relegation matches have led to a host of changes to grade rankings for the upcoming Northland netball championship round.
The starting rankings for the championship round are:
Premiers: Whangaruru, Fideliter 1, Marist, Onerahi 1, Manawanui Red, Fideliter 2, Manawanui White and WGHS 1.
Premier Reserve: Takahiwai 1, Marist, Wahine Toa 1, Fideliter 3, Manawanui Collegiate Red, Manawanui Social.
A1 grade: Wahine Toa 2, Onerahi 2, Marist 3, WGHS 2, WGHS 9-1 and Hora Hora.
Manawanui White will be happy with their two wins to see them ranked seventh in the Premier grade for the championship round. In their game against Takahiwai 1, they were ahead from start to finish with only the second and final quarters being strongly contested.
Standouts were Jade Telfer in goal keep who read play well and took several clean intercepts. Sian Telfer and Kelsey Power at centre and wing attack used speed and deception to feed to the ever-reliable shooting combination of Grace Cooper and Rhiannon Reti. For Takahiwai 1, the whole team was put to work against the athletic and high intensity game brought by Manawanui White who won 45 goals to 23.
In the second game against WGHS 1, Manawanui White started slowly and, at the end of the first quarter, there was only a goal in it. However, Manawanui White increased their lead. The third quarter was also close with only two goals in it showing how competitive WGHS 1 can be and that they should not be underestimated. For WGHS 1, Jacinta Matson at centre was the standout, effective on attack and defence. Manawanui White won 44 goals to 28.
WGHS 1 will however be happy to remain in premier grade with a good win over Marist 2. WGHS 1 were dominant in this game and they kept Marist 2 to single figures in every quarter. For WGHS 1, Kyla Williams at wing attack and Hanna Tukaki at centre provided some precise attacking and this was finished off by Manaaki Peri at goal shooter.
WGHS 1 won 49 goals to 21.
Unfortunately, Marist 2 were the losers on the night, going down to WGHS 1 and then narrowly losing to Takahiwai 1, meaning they will be ranked below them in the Premier Reserve grade at the start of the championship round. Takahiwai 1 won 33 goals to 29.
With two wins apiece, Manawanui Collegiate Red and Manawanui Social will be promoted up into Premier Reserve for the championship round ranked 5th and 6th and with two losses apiece Wahine Toa 2 and Onerahi 2 will be relegated to A1 grade ranked 1 and 2 for the championship round.
Normal competition starts again next week with championship round for all teams.
The Fijian winger who had the world at his feet and the potential to surpass Jonah Lomu.