Netball: First loss for WGHS against Fideliter

Whangarei Girls' High School's Maddy Gordon (C) takes on Fideliter 1 defender Alexis Chapman. Photo / Judy MacDonald

The third week of the preliminary round for premier netball saw some big scores.

Active Refrigeration Fideliter 1 continued their winning streak resulting in Whangarei Girls' High School (WGHS) Senior 1's first loss in the preliminary round.

The first quarter saw Fideliter 1 lead by 5 goals.

They increased their lead in the second quarter to lead by 8 goals but it was in the third quarter they really stepped it out a gear to lead by 15 goals.

WGHS got some revenge in the final quarter but it was all too late.

The final score was 51-39.

For Fideliter 1, Jess Cole had a solid game in the shooting circle at both goal shoot and goal attack, showing what she is capable of including a good percentage.

Kacey Potae at goal keep also had a strong game, having some success in getting rebounds and turnover ball.

For WGHS, Maddy Gordon played a variety of positions where she had credible performances. Dani Kirby at centre and wing attack consistently drove to the ball and supported the team throughout the court.

Uma Robinson, playing up in her first premier game, worked hard and achieved good turnover ball. It was another good defensive effort by Jasmine Milton at goal keep and she was able to work with a variety of different defensive partners.

Manawanui White also had another win, this time against their sister team Manawanui Red. Manawanui White started very strong to lead by 12 goals at the end of the first quarter but were only able to increase this lead by 4 goals in the second quarter.

The third quarter went all Manawanui Red's way and they won this by 7 goals to make the difference just 9 goals going into the final quarter.

Nonetheless, Manawanui White recovered to win 51-36.

For Manawanui White, Larissa Hona at centre was an absolute workhorse.

For Manawanui Red, Hayley Thompson did some great work promoting tips and turnover ball.

Thompson displayed good thought and communication, connecting well with Ari Ihaka at goal defence.

Jemma Bicknell was the standout player, starting at goal keep then slotting into goal shoot at half time where she held beautifully.

Whangaruru Premier came away with their first win in the preliminary round against YHPJ Marist 1.

Marist 1 started strongly in the first quarter, taking a narrow two-goal lead but by half time Whangaruru were ahead by 11 goals and in the subsequent two final quarters they went from strength to strength - the final score 52-28.

For Whangaruru, Liahona Hebden at goal keep had an outstanding game.

She was ably assisted by Sue Ann Nesbit at goal defence.

For Marist 1, Erin Gunson in defence at goal keep and goal defence worked tirelessly.

Casey Williamson at wing defence and wing attack had a good game as did Portia Auton when she came on at wing attack.

Koea Kaka at goal attack directed play well down the attacking end and combined well with Carys Burkhardt at goal shoot later in the game.