Netball: Outkast break Huias' shackles

EYES UP: Huias goal shoot Emma Vennell awaits a pass as Outkast goal keep Amanda Palmer does her best to spoil the party in last night's upset. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

THE return of Kimiora Poi from her national league commitments with Central was a key factor in Outkast's Hawke's Bay Premier Netball League upset win last night.

Midcourter Poi took the court in the second quarter of Outkast Optimise Physio's 47-45 victory over Hastings High School Old Girls Proactive Huias at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena. Her team trailed 14-12 and by halftime had established a 26-23 lead.

"This had to be the highlight of our season ... we've never got close to Huias before," an elated Outkast manager Lauren Marsh explained.

"While it was good to have Kimiora back it was a strong team effort and a result of top preparation including hard trainings during the week," Marsh said.

Outkast goal shoot Rakei Huata again enhanced her reputation as the top shooter in the league with a 93 per cent success rate. Her goal attack, Maddie Pakoti, finished with 89 per cent.

Wing defence Julie Varcoe was another of the key architects for Outkast. This performance was an ideal rehearsal for their clash with defending champions Otane Thirsty Whale next week.

Huias coach Rebecca Martin said bad options at crucial times let her team down. She described the match as one her team lost rather than one Outkast won.

"In a way it was a positive because it means we have to think about how to beat them next time," Martin added.

Goal keep Alex Balhorn was again Huias player-of-the-match. Goal defence Raewyn Parahi, midcourter Lee-Anne Taylor and promising goal shoot Emma Vennell were also prominent starters for Huias.

Goal attack Hannah Winnie made the most of her court time off the pine in the second half.

Otane Thirsty Whale maintained their unbeaten run for the season with a 66-26 drubbing of All In Elusive. Otane coach Annemarie Kupa was again able to give all of her squad plenty of game time.

"We led 23-6 after the first quarter and went into cruise mode a bit. At the same time teams know if they are going to compete with us they must perform well in the first half. We don't like playing catch-up netball and we're starting to hit our straps," Kupa added.

Her midcourters, wing defence Claire McGettigan, wing attack Becky Kupa and centre Jaydi Taylor-Chaffey were full of authority in all aspects of play.

"The score doesn't reflect it but there was improvement from our girls tonight. Everyone knows to beat Otane you have to bring our A+++ game for 60 minutes," All In co-coach Kane Makea said.

Defender Emily McLaren and midcourter Charlotte Wilkins had phenomenal workrates for All In. Makea said while his team's shooting improved on recent weeks the statistics were still low.

In an entertaining topsy turvy bottom-of-the-table encounter Central Sports Vet Services HB pipped Havelock North Jazz Apples Kauri 36-34. Kauri led 8-7 after the first quarter, Central led 20-18 at halftime and Kauri led 30-27 after the third quarter.

Central shooter Tia Maniapoto-Cheer sank 24 of her 34 attempts to finish with a 73 per cent success rate. Experienced Kauri shooter Tania Laking sinking 74 per cent.