The first week of the preliminary round for premiers produced some big scores after the highest and lowest ranked teams clashed.
First played eighth, second played seven, third played sixth and the fourth and fifth teams squared off.
The Active Refrigeration Fideliter 1 game against Semco Group Onerahi 2 (top-ranked playing bottom) was quite predictable with Fideliter 1 leading the whole game and winning 47 to 21. For Fideliter 1, Alisha Takimoana, Rowena Davis-Copper and Jo Davis-Cooper combined well in defence, earning themselves valuable turnovers.
Suzie Kingi and Ajay Young, the two youngest in the Fideliter team, served the shooters well with the placement of some good ball into the goal circle. The score also allowed the Fideliter coaches to try a number of combinations, including using all four shooters in the team. For Onerahi 2, the standout player of the night was Sarah Nicholls who did an excellent job at goal keep for the entire game.
Meanwhile, Semco Group Onerahi 1(second ranked) dominated from start to finish in their game against newly promoted Wahine Toa 2 (seventh) with Onerahi 1 winning 79 to 24. Onerahi protected possession well and also quickly converted turnover ball into points.
Wahine Toa 2 played with guts and determination and never gave up. Fifteen-year-old Sharleece Ross Hill, in her first premier game at goal attack, played with skill and commitment beyond her young years and was steady in her shooting despite strong opposition.
The close game of the night was that of the teams ranked 4 and 5, WGHS 1 playing against Manawanui. Both these teams fielded new, younger players. WGHS 1 dominated the first half and won the first and second quarters but then it went all Manawanui's way and they dominated and won the third and fourth quarters. But it was a little too late with WGHS 1 clinging onto to take a narrow win 34 to 32. For WGHS 1 Jacinta Matson at centre had an outstanding game, sharp on attack and dangerous on defence. New premier defender Shannon George also had a strong game getting a number of tips and intercepts.
For Manawanui, Renee Wilson at wing defence had a good game and she combined well with Hayley Thompson, Judith Barber and Melanie Leef who were all strong in the defence circle, getting some crucial ball later in the game. Lil Reihana, another youngster playing up in her first premier game came on part way through the game at wing attack and played with confidence.
Northland Coastal Development Whangaruru ranked 3, were too strong for the other newly promoted team, Wahine Toa 1, ranked 7. For Whangaruru, Morgan Taurua played an outstanding and consistent game at goal shoot. Liahona Hebden and Reanon Hetaraka-Sadler in defence shut the Wahine Toa attackers down both inside and outside the goal circle. For Wahine Toa 1, Sharayne Moir and Jaelyn Walker worked hard in the defence circle and were rewarded with some good tips and rebounds. Te Aroha Palmer at centre also did a lot of work working tirelessly throughout the court. In the shooting circle Kahu Dick was the player of the day for the team working the circle with skill and experience. In the second half, she combined with 14-year-old Kahukaura Hau-Peita, another new premier player, when she came into the game into the shooting circle.