U17 netball team plays off for third place

Wairarapa will create history by finishing either third or fourth at the national under-17 netball tournament in Wanganui.
In a magnificent effort yesterday they beat both Counties-Manukau and Bay of Plenty Gold to reach the semi-finals for the first time ever. There they were beaten by North Harbour , a result which left them playing Manawatu for third and fourth today.
Wairarapa led 8-3 at the end of the first quarter of their match with Counties-Manukau and were 10 goals up by halftime. Counties-Manukau did fight back to score more goals than Wairarapa in the last quarter but by then the bird had flown, Wairarapa winning 24-19.
Captain Pip Lynch had an outstanding game at centre for Wairarapa as did wing attack Logan Karaitiana and shooters Abby Hull and Hope Phillips.
Wairarapa needed to beat Bay of Plenty Gold to make the semis and led 6-3 at the end of the first quarter and 11-8 at halftime before going on to win 23-19. Wing defence Harriet Somerville had a strong game and others to shine were fellow defenders Sarah McKenzie and Ella Biggs.
The semi-final match with powerful North Harbour saw Wairarapa competitive in the first quarter but then falter through making too many unforced errors. North Harbour, on he other hand , showed good composure and deserved their 29-17 win. They were to meet Auckland-Waitakere in today's grand final.
Earlier in their pool games up was a match against the top seeds in their pool, Hamilton City, and Wairarapa's game plan revolved around closing down their dominant goal shoot. And their tactics worked well with goalkeeper Sarah McKenzie in outstanding form, picking up a number of intercepts and feeding swiftly to her supports.
Goal defence Ella Biggs also had a strong game while at the other end of the court shoots Sophie Ross and Hope Phillips were in top form, netting goals with regularity to give Wairarapa a narrow but deserved 24-21 win.
Wairarapa then played Manuwera and here they were always in control, increasing their lead in every quarter and winning 39-14. Lisa Morriss at wing defence and centre Harriet Somerville were grand value in defensive situations as were goal keep Milly Bell and goal defence Ella Biggs, who constantly disrupted the Manuwera shooters.
Those two wins saw Wairarapa end up second in their pool and into the top 16 section where their first opponent was Waitakere, who had won their pool.
Waitakere prefer to play a fast, open style of netball but they struggled to get any momentum against a Wairarapa side whose defensive work regularly upset their rhythm.
Particularly effective for Wairarapa was the midcourt defensive play of goal attack Abby Hull and wing attack Hope Phillips while both centre Pip Lynch and wing defence Harriet Somerville pressurised the opposition shooters, forcing them into errors time after time
Hull and goal shoot Sophie Ross also had to withstand pressure in the shooting circle from the Waitakere defence but they responded well and Wairarapa won 21-18.
The Wairarapa under-15 netball team made a positive start to their regional tournament in New Plymouth, winning two and losing one of their three games.
Chanel Phillips was the star in the narrow 24-22 loss to Hutt Valley 2 in their opening game, a result which did earn them a bonus point.
Second up Wairarapa showed improvement against wanganui, posting a 31-27 win. Katie Brassell and Maria Hodges both hjad strong games.
The third match was against Kawerau and here Wairarapa dominated to win 33-20 with Victoria Green giving a fine display on defence.