Netball: Manawanui too hot for Huanui

The latest round of premier netball threw up some top action. Photo/Getty Images

Manawanui White picked up a strong win over Huanui in the latest round of premier netball.

The young talent of Huanui put out a great performance and were competitive for the first half of the game, putting together some great phases of play which gave them some confidence and the lead of 31-28 at half time.

Huanui's young attacking end of Greer Manderson at wing attack then changed into centre in place of Emerina Marsh-Kiro during the third, feeding some good ball into the shooting combination of Harriet Baxter and Therese Nagal.

For Manawanui the defence work of Kahli-Lil Reihana at wing defence applied pressure throughout the court, and gained a number of intercepts. Fill-in player Caitlyn Reidstra going from wing attack, then goal defence, applied pressure on the young Huanui shooters and gained numerous tips and turnover ball.

The game between Whangaruru Premiers and Body Trainer Fideliter 1 was a low-scoring affair, which saw some close match-ups throughout the court.

Whangaruru's Liahona Hebden at goal keep and Reanon Hetaraka-Sadler at goal defence applied great defensive pressure, securing good ball and enjoying strong rebounding.

The first half was evenly contested with Fideliter taking a four-goal lead to the break.

The second half saw Fideliter make some tactical changes with Lara Cooper moving from goal shoot to goal attack and Rowena Davis-Cooper going to goal shoot.

Davis-Cooper had a strong shooting game, helping her team to a 41-34 win and denying Whangaruru a bonus point.

The final game of the night saw Whangarei Girls' High School (WGHS) Senior 1 face grade newcomers Wahine Toa.

The first half saw WGHS mid-courters Kelena Roughan and Mia Gordon deliver goal shoot Saphire Connelly-Parry and goal attack Mikaela Crawford some great ball.

However, the Wahine Toa defence made the WGHS shooters work hard for prime shooting position. Both shooters took some time to settle into their game,

The defensive pair of Jessie Taylor and Ricco Niha worked hard for every ball, but at times could not keep up with the speed of Wahine Toa goal shooter Maria Dick and goal attack Danielle Barlow around the goal circle.

A few changes made by WGHS coach Dee Telfer in the second half allowed all players some court time. Some great phases of play and some precise ball to the shooters helped the side to a 67-43 win.