Taradale run close by Red

SHANE HURNDELL
Tamatea Red are full of rugby players and don't train but they are rattling their more fancied opponents in the Hawke's Bay Netball League.
"Yes it might have looked like a game of rugby but we were playing netball," midcourter Heather Skipworth quipped after her side's close 49-35 fourth round loss to Taradale Fury in Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena last night.
Clive rugby hooker Sarah Chalmers, who played centre for the first three quarters and wing defence for the final one, took the deserved Tamatea Red's player-of-the-match award with a high workrate throughout the game.
She was well supported by one of the Eskview rugby team's utility backs Tracy Hawkins who played wing attack for the first three quarters and centre for the final one.
Taradale Fury led 12-8 after the first quarter and 23-19 at halftime. With inspirational wing attack Holly Solomona prominent, the Taradale side established a 38-28 lead in the third quarter and increased the tempo in the final quarter.
While the Taradale side were happy with their first and fourth quarters they know they have to be more consistent if they are to push last year's runners-up Ruahine Motors Central Sports One next week.
Flyers co-captain Jodi Tod, who had stints at goal defence and wing defence and midcourter Jasmine Primmer were prominent in a polished team effort from Central Sports as they walloped Bay Heart Steelers 63-17. Tod and fellow Flyers defender Danielle Harvey made things difficult for the Steelers shooters.
Goal keep Sarah Mason was the Steelers player-of-the-match. Defending champions in the Pak'n Save Hastings and Hawke's Bay Today-sponsored league, Otane Force, maintained their unbeaten run for the season with a 56-24 win against Havelock North Kauri. Flyers midcourter Becky Kupa, who again impressed with her link play and intensity, was Otane's player-of-the-match.
Goal keep Nikki Drinkrow and goal attack Tania Laking had strong games for a Havelock team which competed well in patches particularly in the final quarter.
Centre Bronwyn French was outstanding for Physique 2000 as they beat her former Ex High Blue side 55-36. Ex High coach Di McFarlane gave her entire team the player-of-the-match award as they only had seven players because of work commitments, injuries and illness.
* Taradale High School maintained their unbeaten run in the Hawke's Bay Secondary Schools Netball League last night ... but only just.
The Kim Howard-coached side drew their ninth round encounter 25-all with Hastings Girls' High School at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena.
Other battles at the Arena saw Napier Girls' High School pip Iona College 23-21, St Joseph's Maori Girls College beat Karamu High School 40-16, Central Hawke's Bay College beat Flaxmere College 31-19 and Dannevirke High School overcame Sacred Heart College 27-26.
Defending champions Woodford House played and beat Havelock North High School 36-15 earlier in the week.