Makoura back for finals shot

Makoura College are aiming to make the semifinals of this season's Netball Wairarapa premier one competition. Matches will get under way at the Colombo road courts in Masterton tomorrow.

New coach Dayle Clarkson knows that is a big ask for her young side but she believes they have the talent and determination to pull it off.

"If they build on the progress they made last season they should do well ... top four is certainly not beyond them," Clarkson said.

Four of the 2011 line-up who helped Makoura College win B grade honours, and promotion to A grade, at the Lower North Island secondary school championships, and also the premier reserves grade title locally, are back again.

And Clarkson expects Kata Matapuku, who will be team captain, Bailey Peterson, Anna Garnett and Rennie Hemara to lead the way for a side with some promising newcomers like Ngakela Matapuku, Madison Tufuga, Wikitoria Davidson, Nyree Blong and Darrian Walker.

But perhaps the most interesting face in the Makoura College squad will be Te Kapua Haira, who will be the only male playing in the premier division grade. Special dispensation was required for that to happen and Clarkson is delighted he is playing in the top grade. "He knows the game well and should do a good job for us," she said of the young defender. The premier one draw for tomorrow is: Wairarapa College A v Pioneer Blue at 9am, Carterton New World Lynx v Hells Hot Shots at 11am, Harcourts v St Matthews Collegiate at 1pm, NZCU Baywide Gladstone v Makoura College at 1pm.