Netball: Wāhine Toa fall just short against Whangaruru

The latest round of Northland netball action. Photo / Getty Images

Newcomers Wāhine Toa fell one goal short of toppling Whangaruru in the latest round of premier netball action.

Wāhine Toa started strongly with directive court play from goal attack Maria Dick and centre Te Aroha Palmer.

At wing attack Ngaire-Ani Mehana added speed through the mid-court. Down in the defensive circle, Eyvette Branson applied great pressure on the Whangaruru Premier 1 shooting combinations and ably reading play to pick up some intercepts.

Whangaruru, however, were in catch-up mode.

Some unforced errors and missed goals fuelled Wāhine Toa's hunger to make the most of turnover possession, levelling the game 26-all at half time.

Whangaruru making changes throughout the game allowed some much needed fresh legs
to take the court.

Renee Monk, at wing attack, and youngster Amina Tango, at wing defence, showed some promise while on court.

Tango played a strong defensive game applying pressure on her opposition and adding some speed and elevation through the mid-court.

The final three minutes of the game made for some intense and exciting times for both teams.

Full court pressure from both teams came down to crucial turnover ball from the Whangaruru defence enabling them to take the match 51-50.

Meanwhile, the youthful Fideliter Gold impressed in the first half against 2017 champions Manawanui White but couldn't maintain their momentum.

Fideliter Gold made inroads early to be ahead 30-29 at the halftime break.

Great pressure through court from both teams allowed opportunities for intercepts.

Goal defender Danielle Dephoff played a strong aerial game coming through the mid-court to deny Manawanui a free-flowing game.

Fideliter's shooting combination of Emerina Marsh at goal attack and Taylar Riini at goal shoot worked strongly together providing great hope for what was looking to be a close game.

However, Manawanui's wing defence, Tyler Nankivell, applied further pressure through the mid-court which she pulled off with intercepts or errors.

Caitlin Reidstra, injected at goal defence, worked tirelessly to obtain possession by any means of play.

Jaelyn Walker, playing at goal shoot for Manawanui, had a solid shooting game with a great range of shots from all distances giving her team a strong last-quarter performance and the game 63-49.

In the final game Fideliter Blue eased to a 51-38 victory over Whangārei Girls' High School.

Fideliter took a strong hold of this game right from the start.

Trina Henare, at goal shoot, put up a number of shots, played a pivotal role and was instrumental in controlling the shooting circle for her team and they took a 28-19 lead at half time.

Great defensive pressure from Fideliter frustrated the young school team, however when opportunities arose the students made the most of them with Saphire Connelly-Parry, at goal attack then goal shoot, combining well with Kate Taylor then Sherron Dods.

The circle defence combination of goal keep Zhana Campbell and goal defence Jessie Taylor were able to gain some tips, rebounds and pick-ups for the duration of the second half.

WGHS fought back with ball speed and patience despite the final score of 51-38 to Fideliter.