Netball: Muffin-like split opens but hope for underdogs

Nina Hislop-Pineaha PHOTO/FILE

It's called the Super 6 but the Hawke's Bay premier netball league is quickly developing into a top-three, bottom-three tussle.

All three teams which won in last week's first round were again convincing winners during last night's second round fixtures at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena.

Defending champions Otane Thirsty Whale thumped Outkast Optimise Physio 57-34, All In Elusive walloped Havelock North Jazz Apples Kauri 47-25 and Hastings High School Old Girls' Proactive Huias handed Central Sports Vet Services HB a 62-21 drubbing.

"Outkast made us work in patches and actually won the second quarter," Otane coach Annemarie Kupa-Petera said afterwards.

"Once we get on a roll we seem to get a bit complacent instead of keeping up the intensity. At the same time that reflects the gap between the top three and bottom three but the bottom three will grow in the first round and get better in the second," Kupa-Petera explained.

New Zealand Maori Secondary Schools rep Jaydi Chaffey-Taylor functioned well at goal keep and goal defence in a polished Otane defensive unit. Defender Julie Varcoe was the pick of the Outkast players.

All In coach Charissa Barham said her team produced a "messy win".

"We trained well on Wednesday but that didn't transfer to the game particularly down the shooting end."

Defenders Nina Hislop-Pineaha and Emily McLaren were the best of her players. Goal attack Kate Pearse, centre Mikayla Lambert and defender Dana Cook were Kauri's best. All In won the first quarter 10-3, Kauri won the second 11-9, All In the third 14-7 and the fourth 14-3.

Barham was impressed with the manner in which her troops averaged at least 10 turnovers a quarter.

Huias coach Rebecca Martin said her troops produced some "fabulous patches" after a slow start.

"Defensively as a unit we were particularly strong in the second half. All our substitutes executed in the manner we wanted them to and they provided quality impact."

Regular Huias shooter Ashley Wilson was full of authority in her first game at goal keep. Experienced defender Raewyn Parahi again displayed the benefits of more than two decades play at this level while fellow defenders Hannah Russell and Alex Balhorn were also prominent.

Huias are scheduled to play All In next week and Barham's shooters will have to produce improvement if their team is to remain unbeaten.