A NEW focus on enhancing the standard of their junior netball is working wonders at Kuranui College.
That much be gleaned from their success at a junior secondary schools development tournament hosted by Western Netball at New Plymouth.
Contesting the combined section their side of year nine and 10 students went through
six games without defeat.
Coach Lynda Strange said her team had gone into the tourney with the aim of coming up trumps and she was delighted with the success, which was based around working as a complete unit.
Kuranui defeated St Peter's 21-13 in their opening game. After taking time to settle they slowly but surely wore down their opposition. Rachel Finlayson impressed with her positional play at wing attack and Waimarama Phillips had a 100 per cent success rate with her shooting.
Second up Kuranui played Palmerston North Girls High No.1 in a match they needed to win to make the final.
The game was locked at 5-5 after the first quarter but by halftime Kuranui had moved out to a six-goal lead.
And while PNGHS never gave up Kuranui maintained their effort to win by 25-20. Skipper Te Ata Phillips led by example,picking up many rebounds and intercepts, Meg Roberts was reliable in defence and Natasha Hill had an impressive game at wing attack.
A 52-7 win over Raphael House was a tribute to the excellent team play of Kuranui which swamped their rivals in all departments. Tania Strange shot at 88 per cennt while Waimaramara Phillipos was successful with every shot she had in the first half.
Heavy rain marred Kuranui's match with Fielding 2 and they took a while to take control. However, by the end of the match there was only one team in it, Kuranui winning 26-8.
Wing defence Valma Iro starred as Kuranui continued on their winning way with a 26-14 victory over Spotswood and then came the final against Hawera.
There they pulled away in the last quarter to win 18-11. Alana Strange was impressive at centre and also at goal attack when she moved there in that final quarter.
Kuranui had Te Ata Phillips named in the tournament team and their umpire Chanel Phillips. received a merit award Coached by Lynda Strange and managed by Debbie Julian the team was: Te Ata Phillips, Alana Strange, Tania Strange, Rachel Finlayson, Natasha Hill, Valma Iro, Stephanie Ross, Waimarama Phillips, Meg Roberts, Te Ata Phillips ( captain) Waimarama Phillips, Chanel Phillips (umpire).