Netball: Shooter Smith stands tall

Whaka Mauri player Shannon Rastrick looks to pass the ball during her team's opening round loss to Ngongotaha Elusives on Saturday. Photo/Ben Fraser

Ngongotaha have resorted to route one tactics to win their opening round clash in the Rotorua netball competition.

Ngongotaha Elusives defeated Whaka Mauri 63-35 on Saturday at the Westbrook netball courts.

Teams from across Rotorua visited the courts on Saturday to play their opening round matches in the Senior Banner Round competition.

In the premier one grade, Ngongotaha and Whaka battled out a close first quarter, which ended 14-all.

Ngongotaha took hold of the game in the second quarter after their mid courters and goal shoot Harley Smith linked up well.

The Ngongotaha Elusives launched a series of long-range passes, from deep in the mid court, to the tall frame of Smith.

Smith quickly turned the good service into a healthy lead, with her team going into the break 30-21 up.

Whaka moved one of their best defenders Shannon Rastrick back into goal defence to try and stop the damage, but Ngongotaha charged on.

Some of the old heads for Ngongotaha made sure plenty of good service kept coming for the shooting duo of Smith and Toni Paul.

Ngongotaha continued to build on their lead and in the end they took the match 65-35.

Elusives captain Aroha Taipeti, who had a good game on Saturday, said the first up match was a bit of fun.

"It was all good just to turn up and play," she said. '

'We are just a team that want to play social but are not allowed."

She said what won them the game on Saturday was the old heads in the team.

Some of the Kia Magic players were also down at the Westbrook netball courts on Saturday mingling with fans and local players.

Senior Banner Round premier one grade results on Saturday:

Hinemoa 45 Waikite X Rated 31, John Paul College Snr A 45 Rotorua Girls' High School Snr A 39, Ngongotaha Elusives 63 Whaka Mauri 35, Rotoiti On Tap 52 Tuhoe 33.