Netball: Sloppy quarter hurts WGHS

Fideliter 1 centre Hayley Tipene gets play under way in their premier netball game over the weekend. Photo/Emma Miller

The second week of the preliminary round premier netball didn't exactly serve up any tight contests, with no really close scores.

Whangarei Girls High School (WGHS) 1 produced a much improved performance and they were in the hunt for most of their game against Marist before a low scoring third quarter proved costly.

The scores were tied at the first quarter and WGHS 1 were only trailing by one goal at halftime. However, by three-quarter time they were nine goals behind and they were not able to claw any of this back in the final quarter. The final score was 48-38.

For Marist, Sue Ann Nesbit at goal keep was the standout playing a tight game and picking up some timely intercepts. She combined well with Puawai Shortland who came on strong at goal defence in the second half. Jayne Southee worked hard on attack and defence at centre getting a number of intercepts and Tamea Ross was impressive at goal attack in the first half.

The WGHS 1 coach is using the preliminary round to give all players court time and to try a variety of combinations. Rayna Dangen at wing attack and Leihana Shelford Tito at goal shoot combined well on attack and were very effective.

Changes by Marist at halftime saw the WGHS 1 players struggle against the more experienced mid courters. The school girls regathered and played a very credible final quarter.

The first quarter of the clash between the two Fideliter teams promised a close affair with only three goals between them.

However, in the second quarter the Fideliter 1 team slipped into another gear and dominated for the rest of the game. The final score was 56-24.

For Fideliter 1, Rowena Davis Cooper at goal defence was committed in hunting the ball and came up with numerous intercepts. Nikki Latu at wing defence helped steady the mid court and combined well with Hayley Tipene at centre and wing attack. Jude Campbell at goal attack shot consistently as well as gaining some defensive turnovers.

For Fideliter 2, a serious injury to Jo Davis Cooper at centre unsettled and disrupted the team and had an impact on the flow through court. Alexis Chapman firstly at goal keep then goal defence played an outstanding game getting numerous tips and intercepts. Teina Waikaira on at wing defence in the final quarter also had a strong showing.

Whangaruru will be cursing their slow start which saw them down by seven goals at the end of the first quarter. But this was a game that see-sawed with both teams winning two quarters apiece.

By halftime Whangaruru had clawed back to be within four goals. Manawanui White then had a big third quarter to lead by 20 goals.

Whangaruru won the final quarter but were still 14 goals behind at the end. The final score was 49-35.

For Manawanui White, Hayley Thompson at goal keep in the first half was strong, getting crucial ball and turnovers. Cherith Schragg at goal defence was consistent. Kelsey Power at wing attack was the standout player, worked tirelessly and creating a lot of turnover ball. Jaelyn Walker at goal shoot shot confidently and accurately.

For Whangaruru, Liahona Hebden at goal keep and Jamie Lee Tito at goal defence combined well and secured a lot of ball. Renee Paniona firstly at wing defence then centre also picked up plenty of ball but the shooters were not always able to convert this to points.