Friday night Premier netball had a spectacular game with Raise the Bar Manawanui up against Whangaruru Prem 1.
While these teams have had their fair share of wins and losses this round, this game would be the one that mattered.
The game played out like a final and was great for spectators getting in behind their respective team.
With both teams playing with hunger, grit and determination it was a fast and fierce-paced game. Both teams contested every ball for the duration of the game making it an entertaining game.
Having played each other two weeks prior, Whangaruru were victorious then.
But on Friday, after chasing Whangaruru for the entire game it took the last minute for Manawanui to take the victory 53-52 and a step closer to making the finals.
With both teams going at it goal for goal, it took Whangaruru to gain a turnover before they had a 14-12 lead after the first stanza.
The teams stayed with their starting line-up and with a two-goal advantage, Whangaruru had a strong performance to keep Manawanui at bay and build on their lead 33-27 for the second quarter.
Meanwhile, at the half-time break, a change for Manawanui with Cherith McLennan entering the game at wing attack, while Whangaruru stayed true to their line-up. Gaining a turnover Manawanui were able to peg back the deficit to only four at the third-quarter break.
For the last quarter Sophie Tua was at goal shoot and Reanon Hetaraka-Sadler at wing defence entered the game for Whangaruru, also Bella Drinnan at goal keep for Manawanui. Pressure mounting in the last stanza had Whangaruru lapse momentarily as Manawanui slowly made up the difference with some great shooting from goal shooter Jaelyn Walker.
Injury time from Whangaruru's Alexis Chapman, had Hetaraka-Sadler go from wing defence to goal defence with young defender Amina Tango coming on at wing defence for the last five minutes.
Tango was effective as she applied pressure on McLennan, obtaining a crucial turnover which unfortunately was unable to be converted. As the scores levelled Whangaruru's hopes were fading in the final minute, as Manawanui were able to secure the win in the final play of the game.
Whangaruru Prem 2 played Whangārei Girls' High School (WGHS).
The students were quick out of the block playing with confidence and finally able to release the ball confidently as the shooters converted at every opportunity. Building on their lead, all players took the court.
Half time allowed some changes giving everyone court time.
Kate Taylor moved to goal attack and Saphire Connelly-Parry to the back at goal shoot, with both combining and shooting confidently.
However, everyone taking the court for WGHS did the work required to allow them to extend their lead every quarter with an emphatic win 74-46.
Whangaruru were unable to make inroads to the lead of WGHS, but they were able to post a respectable score.
Fideliter Blue played against their younger counterparts Fideliter Gold.
Considering the game was a close affair for the first half, Fideliter Gold played with passion.
Meanwhile, the more experienced Fideliter Blue ramped it up to another level and place other combinations on court, allowing all players court time.
Another great win for Fideliter Blue 58-41. This win gives them a week off as they await the result of this week's game.
Games this week: Times to be confirmed
Fideliter Gold v Raise the Bar Manawanui White
Whangaruru Prem 1 v WGHS
Fideliter Blue and Whangaruru Prem 2 have the week off