Netball: First quarter win cannot save WGHS

TENSE MOMENT: WGHS1's Jasmine Milton goes high on defence while Whangaruru's Sophie Tua takes the shot. That is Bella Drinnan at GD for WGHS and Morgan Taurua at GS for Whangaruru.PHOTO/JO KIRBY

Helena Bay Whangaruru survived a first quarter scare against a feisty WGHS side in a round of mostly predictable premier netball results.

WGHS 1 were a goal ahead after Friday night's first quarter, but by halftime Whangaruru had pulled ahead by six goals. The gap widened in the third quarter, before a more even conclusion to the match saw the game end 58-37.

Whangaruru's Renee Paniona was outstanding in a versatile role across wing defence, wing attack and centre.

Reanon Hetaraka Sadler (goal defence and goal keep) was consistent in defence.

WGHS 1 worked hard, with Jasmine Milton reading play well, ably assisted by Bella Drinnan.

Mid court combinations of Ngaire-Ani Mehana/Hanna Tukaki (first half) and Serai Murray Wihongi/Rayna Dangen second half had high work rates but points were hard to come by.

Meanwhile, Manawanui White will be pleased with their win over Fideliter 2 after four consistent quarters saw them win 69-38. For Manawanui White, Rhiannon Reti (goal shoot) and Grace Cooper (goal attack) stood out on attack.

On defence, Hayley Thompson and Jade Telfer limited opposition shooting options.

Morgana Nathan at wing defence also collected a number of timely intercepts and applied pressure around the circle edge. Fideliter 2 started slow but warmed into some nice passages. Ursula Buckingham at centre was consistent, Brittany Timoko at wing defence read play well, and Koea Kaka at goal attack and Jess Cole at shooter paired up well in the shooting circle.

Fideliter 1 survived a testing first half against Marist to win 59-42.

Fideliter 1 had welcomed back Lara Cooper and Jo Davis-Cooper into the mid court at wing attack and centre - a combination which worked well, delivering the ball through court efficiently. Nikki Latu (goal keep) combined with Rowie Davis Cooper at goal defence to take some clean intercepts and pick up loose ball. At the shooting end, Jude Campbell (goal attack) and Cassey Cooper (goal shoot) shot confidently and converted possession into points. For Marist, Sherryn Schraag at goal shoot/goal attack dominated the Marist shooting circle with good accuracy.

She was well supported by Puawai Shortland at goal attack then goal shoot. There was some good defence in the first half by Sue Ann Nesbit (goal keep then goal defence) and Helen Francis (goal defence then goal keep), and they were able for a time to stop the free flowing style of the Fideliter play.