Onerahi 1 edge past Marist Old Girls

It was a clash of the titans when Onerahi 1 went up against Marist Old Girls in round three of Whangarei Netball premier grade at Kamo High School, with both teams stacked with skills and experience.
Onerahi 1 came up trumps 39-32, with the low score an indication of the see-sawing of the ball up and down the court throughout the 60 minutes. Both teams were missing pivotal players, but Onerahi mid-courter Emma Kirner earned her nickname of "sonic the Energizer battery" for her tireless effort.
Onerahi 2 were not as lucky on Friday when they played after their clubmates, losing to 62-40 to Takahiwai 1.
The tenacious and experienced Takahiwai team had a game plan and they stuck to it with clinical precision, with their tall shooters Ale Gwynne and Morgan Taurua providing the finishing touches. The younger Onerahi 2 team was simply outplayed despite some excellent defence work by Rebecca Wilkie and Cherith Schraag. While they had experienced shooter Judy Macdonald, even her accuracy could not alter the final result.

On Saturday, Whangarei Old Boys 1 played Whangarei Girls' High School 1 and took out the first half before WGHS fought back in the second 30 minutes. The gutsy school girl contingent proved too strong and their athleticism and fitness saw them through to win 68-55, in a strongly contested game. Old Boys kept in the play for much of the game with some fast through court ball to Sue-Anne David and Trina Henare. Jacinta Matson up from WGHS team 2 played admirably in her debut in premier grade and Amelia Smith's return from injury solidified Girls' High's dominance in the second half.

The surprise result of the round came when Fideliter 2 defeated their clubmates Fideliter 1 45-39.

The Fideliter 2 players worked well as a team. Jess McClintock Maihi did a volume of work as the only specialist shooter on court. Fideliter 1 had some good phases of play, with some nice placement and shooting by Emma Semenoff.

Week one of cross-overs begin on Friday, May 28, Fideliter 2 facing Onerahi 2 at Kamo High School  at 6pm, while at Kensington Stadium WGHS 1 play Marist Old Girls at 5.50pm. At 7.10pm Takahiwai 1 play Fideliter 1, followed by Onerahi versus Old Boys at 8.30pm.