Takahiwai beat WGHS to win first prem game

Takahiwai beat WGHS to win first prem game
NETBALL
by Michelle CurranWELL COVERED: Takahiwai goal attack Ramari Pirihi avoids Whangarei Girls' High School goal defence Sian Telfer to help her team snatch their first win of the season.JOHN STONEIt was finally Takahiwai's turn in the limelight when they won their first game of premier grade netball, defeating Whangarei Girls High School by two goals.
Takahiwai spent last year in reserve grade, and self doubt about whether they belonged in the top division began to creep in after they had to play in Whangarei Netball's promotion-relegation round following several tough matches against well established premier grade sides.
Player-coach Deborah Harding said the victory was warmly welcomed.
"Last week's game against Whangarei Old Boys shot us and we wondered if we were good enough to be up there [premier grade]," she said.
Old Boys thumped Takahiwai 61-34 in week two of the championship round but an inspired team hit the court at Kensington Stadium on Friday night and showed their potential when they came from behind in the second half to nudge past the schoolgirls and win, 48-46.
"The win made us feel okay about being in the division - and we're getting some good combinations together. Once we click, it will make us more competitive there," Harding said.
One such combination was in the goal circle where Francida Doak, who shifted into goal shoot after playing the first half at wing attack, made a tight pack with goal attack Ramari Pirihi and WGHS had to work hard to defend against them.
Nine down at half time, Harding made some tactical changes including coming off the bench to play herself at centre to give Kelly Holm a rest.
"I improvised with who we had on the sideline and played who I thought would best last the distance and it was in the midcourt where we needed a bit of assistance," Harding said.
Holm moved into wing defence and played a solid second half - the new midcourt combinations forcing turnovers and gaining possession and transferring those gains into points - just as WGHS had done in the first two quarters.
Premier grade teams take a two-week break before the last leg of fixtures where Harding is hopeful of a few more wins to make the season more satisfying.
Meanwhile, Old Boys continued to wipe out the minnows, making Fideliter Development's time at Kamo High netball court difficult, crushing the under-21 girls 76-32.
At the other end of the spectrum, two nail-biting clashes were fought out between the other top grade teams.
Marist 1 met Fideliter 1 with Marist edging away to grasp a three goal win, 44-41, while Marist Combined were lucky to escape a Manawanui onslaught, and narrowly pipped them 47-46.