Kamo High School caused an upset beating Bream Bay College-Waipu 28-26 in the first week of a two-week finals' format for the Whangarei Collegiate Netball Challenge.
This is the fourth week of a five-week competition involving six collegiate teams divided into two pools, with the team ranked first in eachpool playing second in each pool.
BBC Waipu, top of pool one, took on second-placed KHS 1, while Manawanui Collegiate, top of pool two, played WGHS 2. Both games were thrillers and went into extra time.
KHS 1 managed an upset, while Manawanui Collegiate eventually beat WGHS 2, 33-31.
BBC Waipu put themselves under pressure in the first half, missing shots and making simple errors. After half time, Anita Carr added punch to the shooting circle, while Paige Carter added much-needed height in the defence circle. In the second half, BBC Waipu clawed their way back up to force a draw at fulltime, however KHS won a couple of crucial turnovers in extra time to give them the win.
For KHS 1, Kellie Wharerau, Savannah Henare and Hayley Salmon, in the shooting circle, were accurate and received some good ball from their mid-courters Kiriti Stokes and Ashlee Crane. At goal keep, Kayla Ludlow was hungry for the ball and Irihaapeti Te Whata Ashby, at goal defence, picked up some good intercepts.
Manawanui Collegiate led for most of their game against WGHS 2 but the result could have gone either way, with WGHS 2 having a strong third and fourth quarter.
Manawanui had an easy target to throw to in tall shooter Jade Rakich. Melissa Smith, at goal attack, also made herself available.
In defence, Lil Reihana played well, taking several intercepts.
For WGHS 2, Olivia Lobb at goal attack and then goal shoot played a strong and consistent game. Bella Drinnan, at goal keep and then goal defence, had an excellent game.
Tikipunga High School 1 and Pompallier 1 had another bye but will be in action in the play-off for fifth and sixth on Friday. The following Friday, KHS 1 and Manawanui Collegiate will play off in the final and BBC Waipu and WGHS 2 will play off for third and fourth.
