Asher Grapes, left, and Imke Kitchin had plenty of game time for the Aotearoa Maori Secondary Schools team in Aussie last week. Photo/File
Top marks for honesty go to Hawke's Bay netballer Asher Grapes in the wake of the Aotearoa Maori Secondary Schools side's third placing on the Gold Coast last week.
"Teams were a lot more competitive this time. Last year they weren't too strong but this year they all stepped up
and there were no easy games which was good for the whole competition," Grapes said.
A second-year player at the 10-team International Under-19s Schools Challenge tournament, Grapes, played centre, wing attack and goal attack for the Aotearoa side which finished third behind Australia and Auckland Samoans with nine wins and two losses.
Aotearoa beat Auckland Tongans 36-25 in the playoff for third.
Their only losses were against Australia and Auckland Samoans. Australia beat Aotearoa 44-29 a year after they lost 40-28 to Aotearoa.
