Ngongotahā started the Banner Round with a convincing win over Waikite.
Ngongotahā Thunder have produced a dominant 59-31 win over Waikite Panthers to suggest they could be a real force in this year's Rotorua Premier 1 netball division.
It was all go at the Westbrook Netball Courts, which underwent a $1.3 million redevelopment during the off season, as teams battled itout in round one of the Senior Banner competition on Saturday.
Ngongotahā played in a Friday night league last year but returned to the Saturday Premier competition with a bang as they ran rampant over Waikite. Their shooters Ngawaea Taia and Jessie Wharekura displayed an almost telepathic connection early on and led their team to a 16-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Waikite, who have a good mixture of seasoned campaigners and young up-and-comers, did not let their opposition's fast start intimidate them and never took a step back. They showed plenty of enthusiasm on attack but simply struggled to get the ball in the hoop.
Ngongotahā Thunder sharpshooter Jessie Wharekura was one of the standout players against Waikite Panthers. Photo / Ben Fraser
Ngongotahā dominated the start of the second quarter, scoring six unanswered points to lead 22-6. Waikite came back at them though and basically went point for point to finish the half trailing 19-35.
The Ngongotahā defence, led by commanding goal keep Aroha Haumaha, made a real nuisance of themselves in the defensive third, treating every Waikite pass as an intercepting opportunity. Those efforts paved the way for the goals to continue tumbling in at the other end and they led 47-24 after three quarters.
It was much the same in the fourth quarter as Ngongotahā cruised to a 59-31 victory, laying down an early marker of their potential this year.
In the other Premier 1 games, Pikiao Warriors beat Whaka Red 56-46 and Kahukura Red beat Rotorua Girls' High School by default.
