Netball: Williams secures stalemate with last-gasp goal

A 30-all draw between Hora Hora 1 and Manawanui Blue highlighted a tight round of Premier Reserve grade netball.

Hora Hora coach Rachel Pilcher summed the game up as tight and stressful, but a really skilled and competitive showing.

She was also incredibly relieved for the draw was secured with a pressure shot from goalshoot Kyla Williams, coming from a penalty right on full time.

Manawanui had taken the win between both teams in the previous round and despite hard work and crucial turnovers by both defensive players Amiria Te Iringa and Ashleigh Walker-Robinson and a two-point lead going into the fourth quarter, they were unable to clinch the win.

WGHS Snr 2 got off to a shaky start against Wahine Toa Combined and with only the bare seven players, it was always going to be a tough ask.

The first half was a fairly even contest, with both teams having to adjust to umpires and conditions.

Errors crept in early on.

Wahine Toa took a 17-14 lead into the halftime break.

For WGHS, both Carly Job at wing attack and Baylie Drummond at centre and wing defence for the duration of the game played steadily and applied good defensive pressure through court.

Wahine Toa continued to hold the lead, and won the game 39-30.

In the final game between the top and bottom sides, Bridgestone Marist 1 and the relegated Whangaruru 1, the final score of 51-43 to Whangaruru was closer than expected.

Whangaruru held only a two-point lead at half time as the Marist shooters kept their side in touch.

Whangaruru had an impressive third quarter which gave them the lead, which they held to the end.

Results:

Hora Hora 1 30 Manawanui Blue 30, Wahine Toa Combined 39 WGHS Snr 2 30, Whangaruru 1 51 Marist 1 43