Wairarapa placed fourth at the national under-18 girls netball tournament which finished in Wanganui yesterday. It was a magnificent result in a competition which drew 35 teams from all over the country. Wairarapa met Manawatu in the playoff for third and fourth and in front of a large crowd, including Silver Fernsselector Leigh Gibbs, they put up a brave showing before losing 19-15. Wairarapa actually took an early lead with three quick goals but Manawatu hit back just as strongly and by the end of the first quarter had gone out to a 7-5 advantage. The second quarter was fiercely contested with both teams defending well through the midcourt, so well, in fact, that only three goals apiece were scored in that period of play. After halftime it was Manawatu who gained the early initiative and by the end of the third quarter they had stretched their lead to 15-11. The last quarter saw Wairarapa turn the ball over on occasions and make a number of tips, including one by goal shoot Sophie Ross who then chased the ball into the circle and scored the goal. However, they were unable to make up the leeway and lost by four goals. The defensive trio of Harriet Somerville, Ella Biggs and Sarah Mckenzie, who played throughout the tourney with a shoulder injury, worked tirelessly through the game and along with centre Pip Lynch ensured Manawatu had to work hard for their goals. Lynch was also effective with her driving play through the court as was substitute Logan Karaitiana while goal attack Abby Hull was a standout on defence and worked in well with Hope Phillips and Sophie Ross in attacking situations. Ross's calm demeanour and high percentage shooting under pressure was a feature of the tourney. After the final in which Auckland-Waitakere beat North Harbour A to take the title Wairarapa College's Abby Hull was named as one of 20 players in the tournament team Also accorded higher honours was Wairarapa's umpire, Kala Dudson, formerly of Masterton and currently living in Wellington, who officiated in the playoff for fifth and sixth placings. Dudson, who is a regional umpire, will be returning to the Wairarapa shortly. Their fourth placing at nationals capped off a fine season for the Wairarapa under-17s who had previously won the Marj Jenden Trophy tourney and finished runner-up in the Cook Osborne Cup event.
