Promoted debutantes prove premier prowess

Manawanui Old Girls showed they could be a force to be reckoned with in the Premier Grade Netball competition after testing the resolve of second-placed Marist Old Girls at Kensington Stadium on Friday.
They proved themselves more than capable in their first week of premier competition after being promoted at the expense of Onerahi 2 last week.
Manawanui  at times closed to within two or three points of the experienced and skilled players of Guyco Marist Old Girls.
In particular the shooting combination of Gail Shepherd and Judith Campbell really challenged the Marist defence.
In the end, it was the experience and mental discipline of the Marist players at the premier level that saw them hold of their challengers and go on to win 68-56,  the score blowing out a little in the final quarter. Cathy Gardner for Marist had a good game in midcourt and overall it was a solid performance by the Marist Old Girls.
The match between Flames Onerahi 1 and Good Ground Fideliter 1 at Kamo High School was a more predictable affair - given the placing of these two teams; first and eighth. Onerahi 1 dominated the whole game with solid defence and attack throughout the court and with some nice finishing by shooter Althena Birch.
 In the second half the defensive unit for Fideliter 1, sisters Hailey Stewart and Marissa Stewart Cook, got some good ball but the shooters weren't often able to convert that into goals. 
The match between Whangarei Old Boys 1 and Takahiwai 1 at Kensington was similarly one-sided.
Whangarei Old Boys dominated the entire game with a real team effort from Liahona Hebden and Jude Holden on defence to Lara Tipene in midcourt to some excellent shooting by Trina Henare.
 Takahiwai in contrast struggled  to get any cohesion and despite  changes during the match were unable to come up with their normal tenacious and competitive game.
The final premier grade match was dominated by Whangarei Girls High School, who beat Atlas Cranes Fideliter 2 74-24 at Kensington Stadium.
 Fideliter 2 missed their coach, Karen McClintock and specialist shooter Jess McClintock due to a family bereavement. Without the younger McClintock's presence in the shooting circle, the match became  one-sided.
 Shannon French at centre played a great attacking and defensive game for WGHS and led by example as the side's captain this week. The WGHS team were particularly effective in the second quarter, with Fideliter unable to convert many goals despite numerous attempts.
 Moving Louise Harvey from centre to goal attack in the next quarter saw Fideliter lose that quarter by just one goal.
But the damage had been done and with  Alanah Vinson as shooter the WGHS team were  easy winners. 
Premier results:
Onerahi 1 54 Fideliter 1 22, Whangarei Old Boys 1 57 Takahiwai 1 32, Marist Old Girls 68 Manawanui Old Girls 56, WGHS 1 74 Fideliter 2 24.
Premier Reserve results:
 
Onerahi 2 42 Fideliter 3 31, BBC Waipu 53 Onerahi 3 50, Wahine Toa 1 58 Marist Social 48.

Next week's Premier games on Friday are at Kensington and at the new WGHS gym. At Kensington: Whangarei Old Boys vs Atlas Cranes Fideliter 2, Flames Onerahi 1 vs Manawanui Old Girls. At WGHS Gym: WGHS 1 vs Takahiwai 1, Guyco Marist Old Girls vs Good Ground Fideliter 1.