Kuranui College stamped their mark on the secondary schools section of the Millennium Cup tournament hosted by the Kapi Mana Netball Centre at Porirua last weekend. Collectively they hit the high spots by finishing runner-up to Tawa in the 16-team competition and winning the fair play award in the process. And theymade a big impact individually as well, goal defence Te Ata Phillips and centre Chanel Phillips two of three sisters in the Kuranui squad being amongst the seven players included in the tournament team and Te Ata Phillips earning the distinction of being named player of the tournament. Kuranui started strongly by winning all three of their pool games, beating Horowhenua 27-8, Porirua 25-9 and Wellington Girls 17-13. That took them into the semi-finals where they overpowered Chilton St James 23-8 to set up a meeting with Tawa in the final. There Tawa led 11-6 at halftime and staved off a determined Kuranui recovery to win 20-17. Also contesting the secondary schools section was St Matthew's Collegiate and they too achieved some excellent results in placing fifth overall. They lost to Tawa 23-9 in the first of their pool games but bounced back with wins over Sacred Heart (19-11) and Queen Margaret's College (13-8) and their crossover match resulted in a 15-13 win over Wellington Girls. Two Wairarapa teams were also amongst the 16 teams involved in the junior section of the tourney and they too did themselves proud, Greytown Hot Shots placing fourth and Masterton Intermediate seventh. Greytown Hot Shots, whose coach Lynda Strange fills the same role for Kuranui College, won all three of their pool games, beating Brandon Intermediate 8-5, Newlands 17-4 and Chilton St James 13-4. They then played Paraparaumu Beach in the semis, losing 9-16. Masterton Intermediate lost to Levin Intermediate 12-21 in their opening pool game and then defeated Sacred Heat (16-12) and Titahi Bay North (11-9). They also won their crossover match against Naenae 10-8.
