Consistency the key, says U17 coach

Consistency was the key word for the Wairarapa under-17 netball team in their success at the Marj Jenden tournament in Porirua last weekend.
Coach Marion Tulloch was delighted with the level of performance in all four games, saying the emphasis on teamwork paid huge dividends.
Also impressive was the ability of the Wairarapa players to respond to pressure situations, the classic illustration of which was their last gasp win over Wellington Gold in what turned out to be the tournament final.
It was the first time in 23 years that Wairarapa had won the Marj Jenden Trophy and it was two goals in extra time which did it.
At the end of ordinary time Wairarapa and Wellington Gold were locked at 17-all which, under the rules, meant that play continued until one of the sides got two goals ahead.
And it was Wairarapa who responded best to that challenge, firstly forcing Wellington into error and transferring the ball swiftly to goal attack Abby Hull who made no mistake with her shot.
Then from their own centre pass Wairarapa maintained possession with accurate passing and Hull , who was a member of the Wairarapa senior team which won the inaugural regional super league series,sank a second shot to give them a 19-17 victory.
Earlier, Wairarapa had started the tournament in fine fashion with a convincing 17-8 win over Kapiti.
Centre Logan Karaitiana and captain Pip Lynch at wing attack ruled the midcourt with their strong driving and accurate feeding into shooters Hope Phillips, who had a 100 per cent success rate in the second half, and Abby Hull.
There was some tight defence too from goal keeper Sarah McKenzie and goal defence Ella Biggs who, assisted by wing defence Harriet Somerville, continually made life difficult for the Kapiti shooters.
Goal shoot Sophie Ross was the standout in Wairarapa's 20-14 win over Kapi Mana, scoring 14 of her team's goals.
Newcomers to the side in wing defence Kate Tutavaha and goal keep Milly Bell could both feel happy with her debuts in a game which saw Wairarapa lead 11-6 at halftime but then go off the boil for a short period and allow Kapi Mana to get within two goals. However, they quickly refocused and helped by some crucial turnovers pulled away to win by six.
In their third game Wairarapa came up against the second Wellington side, Wellington Black. Wairarapa were up 9-7 at halftime and increased their advantage throughout the second spell to win 18-13.
The sustained pressure placed on Wellington Black outside the defensive circle by wing defence Harriet Somerville and centre Logan Karaitiana, especially in the second half, enabled in-circle defenders Ella Biggs and Sarah McKenzie to pick off a number of intercepts.
Biggs managed to tip the ball back incourt from around the goalposts to her partner on a several occasions.
The Wairarapa under-17 team will be looking to build on their excellent start to the 2005 season when they compete in a tournament at Paraparaumu on Sunday, June 12.