New legs help Whangara sink defending champs

Pressure play: Whangara Old Girls goal shoot Tiara Weir (left) prepares to take a pass under pressure from High School Old Girls goal keep Alyssa-Dion Whitewood. Picture by Paul Rickard

Whangara Old Girls eked out a small lead and maintained it to beat defending champions High School Old Girls 28-21 in premier-grade netball at Victoria Domain on Saturday.

Both teams started strongly but Whangara had the edge by two goals, 7-5, at the end of the first quarter.

They led 14-11 at halftime and 22-13 at three-quartertime.

Both teams made changes in the third quarter. F45 HSOG made positional changes with the players already on the court, while Whangara brought on fresh players.

The new legs worked well for Whangara and the whole team lifted their play, working together through the court and outscoring HSOG by eight goals to two.

HSOG recovered in the fourth quarter, which they won by eight goals to six, but the damage was already done.

Whangara defenders Kelsey Hohipa, Ashley Osborne and Torepe Taumaunu, worked well together for the full game.

They went out hunting the ball and pressured the HSOG ball carriers at every opportunity, which led to tips and intercepts.

Whangara's Nadia Whaitiri-White moved from goal attack to centre in the third quarter. She is speedy and has tactical awareness, which helped her link both ends intelligently.

When they got the chance, HSOG moved the ball through the court at speed.

Ashley Te Patu had a good game at centre, driving to the goal circle, feeding good passes to her shooters and being available for in-and-out passes.

It was another busy day at the netball courts, 79 games being played from Year 5 and 6, to intermediate, secondary and senior grades.

Premier Reserve: JT Contracting Horouta Taimana 41 Claydens Waikohu (3) 23, YMP Masters 33 Farmlands Ngatapa 32*, Ritana Snr A 39 Waikohu (3) 24.

A Grade: Pharmacy 53 Campion/NUAM 27 Waikohu (2) 22, Farmcare HSOG 39 YMP Hine Taiohi 28, Farmcare HSOG 31 Waikohu (2) 26, East Coast Log Haulage HSOG 35 YMP (2) 24.

A Reserve: Enterprise Cars OBM Blue 36 The Tav Sportsfit 24, Whalis 29 GGHS Snr B 17, Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 31 Ferkins Farming HSOG 15, GGHS Snr B 30 Ferkins Farming HSOG 17.

First Grade: Tyre General Ngatapa 26 Thistle Storm 15, GGHS Jnr A 27 Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 14, Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 25 Tyre General Ngatapa 20, Gis Glass Ngatapa defeated Wahine Hauora HSOG by default.

First Reserve: Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 20 JT Contracting Horouta Hiriwa 10, Zeafruit Ngatapa 36 Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) 13, Zeafruit Ngatapa 32 Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) 11, Uawa Nui 16 Waikohu (4) 14*.

Second Grade: YMP Manawanui 31 De Costa Ngatapa 14, XLR8 15 DMed 11, OBM Red 31 Thistle Phoenix 24, XLR8 34 YMP Manawanui 12.