Netball: Girls' High flying high

Rotorua Girls' High School's Briana Cardon in action on the weekend. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER.

Rotorua Girls' High School Prem 1 side are flying high at the top of the Senior Championship after impressive displays on the weekend.

The side remain unbeaten in the Rotorua competition after a 47-33 win over John Paul College Senior A and a 47-35 victory over Marist Shakers 47-35 on Saturday.

Girls' High wing defence Teina Cassidy stood out in defence while goal keeper Marina Beazley and goal defence Kahlia Kiel also had excellent performances.

Coach Hinei Taute, in her fifth season with the team, was pleased with her side's performance and said skill and fitness were key to the positive results.

"In both games we showed immense skill and ability and we had strength throughout all areas of the court," she said.

"We never gave up and tirelessly kept chasing the ball and off loading it well. You have to put sides under pressure and that's's exactly what we did.

"Marina and Kahlia were very impressive in the first game and gave very little away under the net.

"And Teina kept breaking up the opposition play which they struggled to come back from."

Taute said the win over Marist Shakers was the most impressive display, thanks to strong feeding from centre Briana Cordon and wing attack Kataraina Ormsby and clinical finishing from goal attack Siobahn Taute-Collier and goal shooter Taryn Stone.

Rotorua Girls' High School's Briana Cardon in action on the weekend. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER.

"I really thought our attack shone through and was more alive," she said.

"We led from the off and worked very hard for each ball.

"Briana and Kataraina were excellent at supplying the right attacking ball and Siobahn and Taryn were on form in the shooting circle.

"We made sure that we turned our attacking style into points and that really helped us get the right result."

Rotorua Girls' High, who are managed by Paula Ormsby, have three more games remaining in Premier 1 and Taute is confident her side can win the title, despite only being promoted from Premier 2 last season.

"It has been a step up for the girls this year but they have really committed to playing and have sailed through the competition," Taute said.

"I'm not surprised with how well the team has done because they have been hungry to do well.

"But we have to keep pushing till the end of the season and step our performance up because we are at the business end of the competition.

"I know the team will give real drive and motivation to be the best we can be."

Taute also said a a successful season would put the side in a great position for the Upper North Island Secondary Schools (UNISS) Tournament next month.

"If we can do well now, it will be a great confidence builder for each of the players," she said.

"It will be the first time I've been with this team to compete but I think we have a great chance to do well.

"As long as we can take belief and a strong winning attitude into the competition I think we have a great chance.

"This is a very talented group of girls and their unity really shows on the court. This will put us in good stead for success in the future."