Netball: Fideliter 1 make it three in a row

Shona Dangen at goal shoot for Takahiwai takes a shot with Luana Beazley Tango at GK and Rita Himiona at GD for Wahine Toa 1 in the reserve grade final. Photo / Ron Burgin

Fideliter 1 started strongly and never looked back on their way to a third consecutive Educare North Premier title.

Opponents Manawanui White were six behind after the first quarter, and by half time faced a nine goal deficit. After three quarters, Fideliter 1 led by 17 and the title was well within grasp. At fulltime, it was a convincing 58-39 win to Fideliter.

For Fideliter 1's Kate Te Whata (goal shoot) was player of the day with a strong and solid performance under some high ball at times. Te Whata shot at 84 per cent.

She was ably supported by her team mates, in particular Lara Cooper (centre) who relentlessly hunted for intercept opportunities and turnover ball.

For Manawanui White, the mid-court combo of Larissa Hona (centre) and Kelsey Power (wing attack) later in the game added some spark and urgency to the team but the Manawanui defence were guilty of bringing the umpires in the game and the shooters were frustrated by Fideliter's tight defensive marking. Jaelyn Walker at goal shoot for three quarters was the most consistent of the shooters shooting at 73 per cent.

Toni Power, coach, felt that the team had been unable to play their natural game which caused the team to become a bit disjointed. Despite the loss it has been a highly successful season for a team that started in the premier reserve grade.

In other playoff games played on Friday night Northland Coastal Development Whangaruru had a good win over Potter Electrical Onerahi 1 after startign well to be up by seven goals at the first quarter. Onerahi 1 reduced the gap to six goals at half time with the score 39-33.

After that Whangaruru went from strength to strength to win 74 goals to 54.

Treewise Marist had a comfortable win over Manawanui Red and led from start to finish. They had a strong first quarter and a good second quarter to lead at half time by 13 goals. The third quarter was drawn but Marist again won the final quarter, and took the match 58 - 42.

WGHS 1 ended the season on a high before they depart for UNISS (Upper North Island Secondary Schools netball competition). WGHS 1 led from start to finish in their game against Active Refrigeration Fideliter 2. WGHS 1 won 49 goals to 33.