An entertaining final week of the Premier Preliminary Round was highlighted by a tense top-of-the-table clash.
Active Refrigeration Fideliter 1 took on Manawanui White in a competitive match that restricted the free-flowing scoring that both teams have been used to.
The first quarter score of 8-5 to Fideliter was evidencethat each goal was fought hard for, with pressure put on every pass.
Manawanui started the game strongly and stayed in touch right through to three-quarter time.
Smart substitutions in the final quarter by Fideliter coach Alb Baker changed the defensive combination and style, and stifled the determined Manawanui attack led by Jaelyn Walker.
The Fideliter shooting was accurate throughout the game and was the difference between the teams. Kate Te Whata in particular was exceptional and she recorded a perfect game, scoring 19 goals from 19 attempts.
Fideliter won the match 48-38.
Meanwhile, Manawanui Red ensured their place in the Premier division after beating bottom-placed Whangaruru 45-40 in a see-sawing affair.
The lead changed often, but, by the end of each quarter, Manawanui were always either one or two points in front.
Goal-keep Tracey Paniona starred for Whangaruru.
The evenly matched teams forced plenty of turnovers and, while it wasn't pretty, it was enough to keep Manawanui in the Premier grade.
The final match of the evening between Whangarei Girls High School Senior 1 and Whangaruru Premier was another close game.
Whangaruru led slightly at every break. The shooting combination of Saphire Connelly-Parry and Leihana Shelford for WGHS took some time to settle, but both found their rhythm towards half time.
Whangaruru eventually won the game by five, experience triumphing over youth.
