Netball: Different 'All In' goal shoot's turn to claim draw

Celeste Lowe (left) with sister Candis Timms. PHOTO/FILE

Similar comeback, similar result but different goal shoot.

That was the case as newcomers All In again snatched a last second draw against Plus Rehab Hastings High School Old Girls Huias in last night's round of Hawke's Bay's Super 6 premier club netball competition at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena.

When the two teams met three weeks ago All In secured a 41-all draw courtesy of a long shot from goal shoot Pania Rowe after trailing by 10 goals.

Rowe was unavailable with an injury last night and her replacement Melissa Ellmers, who played the first-half and returned to the court in the final quarter as an injury replacement, secured a 51-all draw with her final goal for a side which trailed by seven goals at one stage. Raiha Falcon-Maxwell was another to shine in the attacking circle where she had stints in both positions.

The daughter of former Eastern goal shoot Raewwyn Falcon and former Hawke's Bay Unicorns rugby league prop Sam Maxwell, Falcon-Maxwell proved she has the potential to emulate the feats of her mother in seasons to come. Goal keep Nina Pineaha and goal defence Brona Turley again operated well in the defensive circle for All In.

Experienced centre Candis Timms impressed with her midcourt work while her sister, wing attack Celeste Lowe, made a memorable debut at this level.

Huias goal keep Catrina O'Connell said some poor finishing again proved costly for them.

"We defended well as a team but All In displayed more urgency, hunger and mongrel."

Along with O'Connell, goal defence Raewyn Parahi and wing defence Charlotte Wilkins were busy in defence and Millie Ironside had some memorable patches in the attacking circle.

Other first week games in the championship round saw Napier Girls' High School wallop MAC Blue 70-31 and defending champions, The Thirsty Whale Otane Force, beat Hastings Girls' High School 60-37.

While Napier Girls' victory wasn't a surprise, the margin was. NGHS coach Vicky Lassen said Aotearoa Maori Under-19 rep Kelsey McPhee's shooting was equally as classy as the defensive effort from her entire squad. Goal keep Emma McLelland was again a rock on defence and she was well supported by Demi Forshaw and Jaydi Taylor-Chaffey who had half a game each at goal defence.

Hastings Girls' High School can be proud of the manner they reduced their deficit by 26 goals from the corresponding game three weeks ago. They recently won a promotion-relegation game to remain in the top six.

Unbeaten Otane Force remain on track to win a 10th Hawke's Bay premier title this season

Recent form suggests All In, Huias and NGHS will join Otane in the semifinals. Those three teams will no doubt do their best to try to avoid being the fourth qualifier as that side will take on the top qualifier in the semifinals and it will be a major surprise if Otane miss out on the top spot.