Young stars step up in Harbour tournament

Northland's leading age-group netballers impressed at the under-17 North Harbour Tournament in Takapuna, going head-to-head  for third and fourth place.
Whangarei Girls' High School's Amelia Smith and Luana Beazley-Tango teamed up with Maungakaramea Area School's Sheeryn Schragg for the Netball North side, while Whangarei Girls' High School's Alana Vincent, Liana Bennett and Jade Telfer along with Kelsey Power from Bream Bay College, Kamo High's Alexis Chapman and Helen Davidson of Okaihau College, were on the court for the Mid North team.
The three-day tournament  attracted a strong line-up of the northern region's under-17 teams.
Netball North and Mid North stepped up to the mark to make it through to the semifinals on Wednesday.
Mid North finished first in their pool after convincingly defeating Auckland Girls' Grammar, Te Awamutu, Mahurangi and Wentworth, while Netball North beat Bay of Plenty Blue, Manurewa, Pukekohe and Long Bay to finish second behind Howick/Pakuranga after the pool matches.
North Harbour went through to the final against Howick/Pakuranga, with the hosts winning 35-24, while Netball North and Mid North battled out for third and fourth.
Netball North won 38-25, despite a determined effort from Mid North.
Smith, Beazley-Tango and Schragg will be back in action for Netball North at the under-17 national tournament in Wellington, from July 13-17.
Meanwhile, New Zealand age-group netball also started this week, with the under-19
and under-21 nationals at Trusts Stadium.
Northland's Tara Wells and Kimberley Hita hit the court for Netball North, who were one of 17 under-19 regional teams vying for national honours at the event.
Netball North exceeded expectations by finishing an outstanding third behind Auckland Waitakere and Southland, while the under-21 side, featuring WGHS's Sian Telfer, finished sixth.
Western claimed the under-21 national honours, Waikato were second and Auckland Waitakere third.