St Matt’s juniors prove too good

Junior netballers from St Matthew's Collegiate proved too good for the rest of the lower North Island at a secondary school tournament in Wanganui last weekend.
Up against 34 other teams from Taranaki and Hawke's Bay to Wellington, the St Matthew's team came out on top.
Coach Trudy Hullena said the team made the final after "two days of full-on play".
There the team met Palmerston North Girls High - a school of 1200 compared to St Matthews roll of 330.
"After being tied 18-all at the end of the third quarter the St Matthews girls pulled away to win 26-23," Mrs Hullena said.
"Over the weekend all of the team members justified their inclusion by playing well. "Shontae Reeve and Charlotte Pope made plays that resulted in wins, while a high level of skill, courage and commitment were displayed by Dushka Warren, Maddy Baker and Brooke Sim."
"Ashmore Begg, Georgie Cox and Danielle McKay backed up the team superbly."
Talia Hullena and Evie Langlands were named in the tournament team selected from those athletes attending the weekend.
Umpire Maddison Hullena represented her college and the Netball Wairarapa Umpires by refereeing some of the tournament games - earning one of two merit awards along with an invitation to attend the Senior Lower North Island Netball Competition to be held in Gisborne at the end of the month.