Netball: Napier Girls' High School book final berth against Otane in Super 8 competition

Outkast centre Shyan Murphy takes possession as Otane player/caoch Tammy Kupa watches in the Super 8 netball semifinal at the PG Arena, Napier, tonight. Photo/Warren Buckland

They are schoolgirls but no one can deny the Napier Girls' High School Senior A team the right to decide who should be the best premier women's netball club competition in Hawke's Bay.

The Anne Marie Kupa-coached giant killers outclassed All In Elusive 71-59 in the first semifinal of the Hawke's Bay Super 8 competition in Napier tonight.

NGHS meet Otane Thirsty Whale at 7.45pm on Friday next week after the latter beat Outkast Optimise Physio in the second semifinal by 57-45 at the Pettigrew-Green Arena, Taradale.

The rise of the schoolgirls has been incremental and they had shocked perennial favourites Otane in the four-round shield competition of the Super 8 section.

"Another final for Napier Girls is just awesome. They are schoolgirls and they've stepped to play so well together," said Kupa who can't wait to face her former team and sister Tammy Kupa's Otane.

Anne Marie said NGHS had beaten All In twice this season and drawn once so accepted their favouritism tag although All In were second qualifiers and NGHS third.

NGHS set the tone, 20-17, in the first quarter, increased the lead in the second (37-31) and then didn't let their standards slip in the third (55-47).

Goal shoot Janaya Preece was outstanding, scoring 53 from 55 attempts (96 per cent). Goal attack Janaya Lewis backed that up with 18-22 (82 per cent) for an overall 92 per cent for NGHS.

GS Imke Kitchin, the Super 8 leading shooter, sunk 49 of her 54 attempts in the hoop (91 per cent) with GA Randall Tuala-Fata nailing 3-3 (100 per cent) in the first quarter before Jemma Kendon slipped on the GA bib in the second spell for a 7-10 (70 per cent) returns for All In's overall 88 per cent shooting.

Anne Marie said NGHS found their shooters well with minimal turnover ball on their attacking line and scavenged with commitment.

"It was a really attacking game so that's why the score was so high," she said. "Napier Girls deserve to be there."

Anne Marie said the Valentine Kahukura-captained side all performed their tasks well for a collective effort.

Tammy said Otane would be out to redeem themselves after NGHS beat her new-look side a few times this season.

"We were confident in our own ability and knew that we could do it but knew we were coming up against this dogfight," she said, mindful they had to contend with Outkast defender Amanda Palmer.

NGHS goal shoot Janaya Preece towers over All In Elusive goal keep Natalie Brown at the PG Arena, Taradale, tonight. Photo/Warren Buckland

Because of their new look Tammy said it was all about moulding defensive patterns for a sense of cohesiveness between the goal keep, goal defence and wing defence, which they had accomplished tonight. Outkast were top qualifiers.

"I'm looking forward top beating my sister and play my niece in the final and that's going to be cool," said Tammy of Anne Marie whose daughter Parris Petera is a midcourter with NGHS.

Otane led all the way - 11-9, 29-20 and 41-29. GS Pania Rowe 47-53 (89 per cent) and GA Tammy Kupa 10-16 (63 per cent) got Otane to 83 per cent overall.

GS Rakei Saena 15-17 (88), for three quarters, GA Angel TeHiko 15-21 (71) and GS Nancy Rakete-Stones 15-20 (75) got Outkast an overall 78 per cent.

Central Sports Vet Services beat All In Tremains Evasive 55-42 for fifth place while Hastings High School Old Girls Proactrive Huias beat Hastings Girls' High School Senior A 56-52 for seventh place.

Outkast and All In Elusive wil face each other for third place at 6.15pm on Friday next week.