Northland netball: WGHS 2 pip Hora Hora 1

Northland's premier reserve netball grade is hotting up. Photo / Getty Images

Whangarei Girls High School Senior 2 picked up a tight 53-46 win over Hora Hora 1 in premier reserve netball action.

WGHS played with heart and great composure under immense pressure on Saturday.

Turnover ball at the defence end from Tahlia Parangi at goal defence was a key factor, using her elevation to gain possession and hunting for intercepts around the shooting circle.

Keeping hold of possession, WGHS got the ball down to the shooting combination. Brittney Sackfield at goal shoot was a great support to Sherron Dods at goal attack, who shot accurately and rebounded strongly.

But at the other end Kyla Williams at goal shoot held strongly, created space and shot accurately to keep Hora Hora in the game.

Kim Neumann at centre for Hora Hora was the link through midcourt, with Alicia Walker at wing attack and both Marama Flay-Alker then Marita Walters sharing the role of wing defence.

The game was hindered by the number of cautions handed out throughout, with one player removed from the court and given a two-minute suspension.

Whangaruru 1 and Manawanui Red started steadily, playing a simple game.

Whangaruru's shooting combination of Ringi Hohepa at goal shoot and young goal attack Sophy Tua-Martin shot accurately and worked well together, making the Manawanui defence work for every ball.

At wing attack Gina Mahanga picked up loose ball from Manawanui's errors and fed the shooters good ball in the first half.

Hayley Thompson moved from goal defence to goal keep, with Amina Tango also moved from wing defence to goal defence after the first break, upsetting the Manawanui shooters of Sarah Congdon at goal attack and Tayla Riini at goal shoot with strong rebounding.

Manawanui made several changes in the second half.

Riini, moved from goal shoot to goal keep, combined well with Genna Gillespie at goal defence and Ashleigh Walker at wing defence.

Natalie Peyton, playing at goal shoot for the rest of the game, offered great support to Congdon.

Midcourt players worked tirelessly but Emily Wihongi was a work horse for the whole game, playing at wing defence then centre.

Whangaruru made the Manawanui defence work hard to the final whistle, coming away with a comprehensive 68-44 win.

Fideliter 2 had a strong 50-33 win against Hora Hora Maroon, leading from the start.

The versatility of players enabled the coach to rotate them between positions, making changes at each break.

At times their full court defence was impenetrable, allowing wing defence Danielle Dephoff's speed and elevation to gain a number of intercepts, while Jess Cole rewarded her with accurate shooting.

Hora Hora worked hard to apply passages of play but did not give up.