Netball: Whangaruru 1 climb ladder then lose game

Kerri Boyt at centre for Fideliter 2 tries to get a pass away. Photo / Judy MacDonald

Following promotion relegation, the first championship round of premier reserve netball was played at the weekend.

Whangaruru 1 won their promotion relegation game against Wahine Toa Whero 31-29, which saw Wahine Toa Whero drop to A1 Senior grade.

The newly promoted Whangaruru 1 side had a very close encounter against Hora Hora 1.

Hora Hora 1 had a narrow lead of two goals at the end of the first quarter but by halftime Whangaruru had drawn level.

Whangaruru took the lead at the end of the third quarter, only to have this change in the fourth, with Hora Hora taking out the win by a goal, 37-36.

For Hora Hora, Leah Valli at wing defence gained a lot of turnover ball and put good pressure on the opposition.

Angela Wiki and Leah Te Iringa combined well in what was quite a physical match.

Unforced errors in the midcourt on attack and missed shots almost cost Hora Hora the game.

For Whangaruru 1, Waihine Lomas at goal defence had an outstanding game and was particularly effective.

Gina Mahanga, at centre, had a strong game and Tamia Ross at goal attack had a good game also.

Fideliter 2 had a back-to-back win against Marist 2.

Marist 2 had a one-goal lead at the end of the first quarter but at halftime this had swapped over and Fideliter 2 led by a goal.

Fideliter 2 then won the final quarter to take the win, 44-41.

For Marist 2, Katelyn Gunson had an exceptional game, shooting with accuracy and standing strong.

Kerri Boyt and Chubby Hale at centre and wing attack interchanged positions and were strong in delivering the ball through the court.

For Marist 2, Catherine Ryan at goal keep and goal defence worked hard.

WGHS 10-1 played to stay in the grade and won their promotion relegation game against WGHS 9-1, 38-21.

They then had to play Manawanui Development, which proved to be a closely contested game. Despite having already played, WGHS 10-1 started strong to lead by six goals at the end of the first quarter.

Manawanui Development had a strong third quarter to lead by seven goals. WGHS 10-1 were able to reduce the deficit in the final quarter but lost 39-34.

For Manawanui Development, Havana Connelly at wing defence was effective and strong. For WGHS 10-1, Kelena Roughan played well on attack and applied good defensive pressure. Ricco Watts Niha at goal keep played a consistent, defensive game.