Netball: Gritty Manawanui White make their mark

Newly promoted Manawanui White might not have triumphed in their debut premier game but they've certainly won some respect.

Manawanui White went down 38-43 against Fideliter 1, earning themselves one competition point.

For Fideliter 1, Rowena Davis Cooper and Alisha Takimoana defended well, and Lara Tipene in the mid court at centre grabbed crucial intercepts and turnover ball.

Manawanui White's Jade Telfer at goal keep played a tight defensive game to combat the height of the Fideliter goal shooter. Kelsey Power at wing attack and then wing defence and Sian Telfer at centre continually contested the ball throughout the court.

Marist 1 and Fideliter 2's match-up was also close with the score 22-22 at halftime.

The last two quarters went Marist 1's way for a 48-39 victory.

For Marist 1, Kelly Middleton and Helen Francis combined well in defence and Tamea Ross at centre had an outstanding game. For Fideliter 2, the defence unit of Horona Te Iringa, Jodi McCluggage and Erin Gunson applied pressure to the experienced Marist shooters and this resulted in good turnover ball. In mid court, Katelyn Donovan put in another solid performance playing at centre, wing attack and wing defence.

Meanwhile, Manawanui Red - ranked fifth - will be pleased with their win over fourth ranked Onerahi 1. By halftime, they were leading by nine goals which Onerahi could not make up. For Manawanui Red, Hayley Thompson at goal keep and Mellinee Leef at goal defence had busy games and Renee Paniona and Marion Evans in mid court combined well.

Gail Shepherd and Ringi Hohepa in the shooting circle provided the final connection.

For Onerahi 1, the standout was Jayne Southee at centre, who performed consistently throughout the game. Sharleece Ross Hill at goal attack also had a clean and accurate game. Manawanui Red won 61 goals to 43. In the final game, Whangaruru 1 made easy work of the young WGHS 1 team 69-29 and kept an under-strength WGHS 1 to single figures in all four quarters.

For Whangaruru 1, Kea Randall at wing defence for the first half disrupted the ball flow before moving at half-time to wing attack where she fed the ball well into the shooters along with Shawni Paniona who moved from goal attack to centre. For WGHS 1, Olivia Lobb at goal attack and wing attack was consistent and Jacinta Matson at centre was the standout player for WGHS 1.