An exciting extra time win over Wellington Gold sealed Wairarapa's overall victory in the Marj Jenden under-17 netball tournament played at Porirua on Sunday. The two teams were locked at 17-17 at the end of ordinary time and it was Wairarapa who kept their cool and scored twice in extra timethrough shooters Abby Hull and Hope Phillips. In other games Wairarapa beat Kapiti 17-8, Kapi Mana 20-14 and Wellington Black 18-11. Hull had an outstanding tourney as did defenders Sarah McKenzie and Ella Biggs, but it was excellent teamwork more than anything else which was behind the success of the Marion Tulloch-coached side. They now have three more tournaments to play before their main objective, the national under-17 tournament in New Plymouth in July. Also competing at Porirua on Sunday were the Wairarapa iunder-15 and under-15 development teams. The under-15 side lost to Kapiti 9-12, beat Wairarapa Development 21-9, lost to Kapi Mana 15-17, lost to Wellington Gold 10-12 and beat Wellington Black 21-8. Ngahuia Wilson, Renee Cummings and Alana Strange were standout players for Wairarapa with Katie Brassell and Maria Hodges improving in each appearance. Defender Victora Green was the star of the Wairarapa development team which lost to Kapiti 2-16, lost to Kapi Mana 9-21, lost to Wellington Gold 3-19 and beat Wellington Black 24-5. The experience gained by this team should prove invaluable for the future.
