Netball: North Fideliter 2 cement top ranking

North Fideliter 2 cemented their top ranking in the premier reserve netball competition with a good win over Marist 1, 41-34, during the weekend.

Marist 1 started strongly and they were up by two goals at the end of the first quarter which they were unable to sustain. For Fideliter 2, Andrea Roberts in defence disrupted the Marist flow into the circle and Nane Maru and Avala Speedy at the other end of the court combined well and had consistent shooting. The mid-court combinations of Ursula Buckingham, Megan Christie, Amanda Gentil and Renee Lowther played effectively throughout the game.

Francis Coutts, at goal keep, and Rebecca Simper, at goal defence, for Marist 1, played well getting a number of tips before Francis was injured. She was replaced by Ann Maree Beazley who came on at goal defence and Simper moved to goal keep. Beazley showed her class, applying pressure and receiving good turnover ball. Amy Eager, at centre, drove to the circle edge well and fed great ball to the shooters - she also positioned herself well on defence. Nikki Peapell, at wing defence in the first and third quarters, applied pressure around the circle edge. Germaine Gibson, at goal shoot, and Jaimee Dunn, at goal attack, started strongly slotting in a number of shots.

In the final week of the championship round for premier reserve, the rankings leading into the three-week finals format was drawn up: Fideliter 2, Wahine Toa 2, Wahine Toa 3, Takahiwai 1, Marist 1 and BBC Waipu.

In the all Wahine Toa game, Wahine Toa 3 proved too strong with their short "give-and-get" low game for Wahine Toa 2, winning 40 goals to 34. For Wahine Toa 3, it was a team effort. Sharleen Wikaire, at wing attack, had a particularly strong game in the mid-court. Wahine Toa 2 finished well, winning the final quarter, but had left their run too late. Tegs Wharewaka at goal defence worked hard, grabbing several intercepts. Te Arahi Stokes came on in the second half at wing defence and she made herself available on attack. Elaine Ross, at goal shoot, brought her experience to the side and combined well with Anya Garland at wing attack who fed her some good ball.

Takahiwai 1 had a good win over BBC Waipu. However, at times, the younger college team came close. Takahiwai 1 won 46 goals to 39. Takahiwai played a big ball game and largely this worked with high, long balls going into their strong holding shooter, Muritere Apiata. Their mid-court combination of Rochelle Wihongi, Addy Campbell and Koea Kaka moved and drove well and provided good ball through court into the goal circle. In contrast, BBC Waipu played a short, sharp and smart game and, in the wet, they were able to frustrate the Takahiwai 1 team at times. Cassidy Potich, at wing attack, was ever present and Emily Porta was tight on defence.