Team dig deep to claim win

Whangarei Girls' High School had a dream  result after defeating Flames Onerahi 1 43-40 in Whangarei Netball's premier grade final at Kensington Stadium.
Girls' High started the end of the preliminary round ranked third, to take out the championship round, despite trailing Onerahi 6-2 in the first few minutes of Friday night's final.
WGHS dug deep to be down by only two goals at the end of the first quarter.
The dramatic final see-sawed goal for goal for most of the game  but after 60 minutes  the young and athletic team had the edge over Onerahi 1, who have dominated the entire competition without a single loss.
Both teams won two quarters apiece. As always, the defensive unit of Emma Kirner, Loren Eagle and Davina Cooper for Onerahi 1 were formidable.
Sherrilyn Shragg  proved the most consistent of the Onerahi shooters. For WGHS, goal attack Lauren Bean fed some nice ball to Alanah Vinson who proved accurate at goal shooter, and Jamiee Lee Tito  at wing defence then goal keep had a sterling game.
In the playoff for third and fourth, Guyco Marist Old Girls battled it out with Whangarei Old Boys to win convincingly 62-48, claiming third spot in the championship round.
Marist Old Girls led every quarter except the last when Whangarei Old Boys managed to match them goal for goal. This was a game between two  skilled  teams.
But, Marist Old Girls showed more determination and managed to get good ball through to their shooters to convert - Sophie Tua at goal attack worked hard and combined well with Nicky Taylor who shot well.
The introduction of Lettica Shelford at wing defence in the second half proved valuable in terms of turnover ball. Whangarei Old Boys defender Alexis Chapman got some nice intercepts and Lara Tipene played her typical aerial and driving game on attack.
In the premier reserve grade final Flames Onerahi 2 played  against Pizza Barn BBC Waipu, with Onerahi 2 eventually winning by a close 48-46 margin.
 BBC Waipu never stopped trying and were always in the hunt and their high work ethic did mean they were eventually rewarded, winning the last quarter, but it was not enough.
BBC Waipu's Reisheen Tupaea at goal shoot had an outstanding game and Rachelle Cox at goal keep never stopped defending the ball, resulting in her getting some nice intercepts.
 Onerahi 2's defence  worked hard, particularly Cherith Schragg who played a great defensive game,  and she was successful in bringing the ball through the court. Rochelle Skelton, goal shoot for Onerahi, performed the most consistently of the shooters in this game  when she was in possession.
On Saturday, the final match of premier grade was contested at Whangarei Girls High School, with Takahiwai 1 going down to Manawanui Old Girls, 66-61, in their playoff for fifth and sixth.
Takahiwai 1 managed to win only the first quarter of this game and then it was all Manawanui Old Girls. Manawanui shifted Rhiannon Reti to centre and Gail Shepherd to goal attack and from there they were able to move the ball through the court into the goal circle at speed.
In the playoff for seventh and eighth, Good Ground Fideliter 1  forfeited this game, meaning Atlas Cranes Fideliter 2 finished the championship round in seventh, and Fideliter 1 in eighth.
Prizegiving for Whangarei Netball Centre will be on September 10 from 5.30pm for Intermediates, and 7pm for Seniors.