Netball: Elusives prove strong finishers

A third-quarter shooting spree by Ngongotaha Elusives shooters Caroline Hicks and Aroha Taipeti helped to secure a 34-20 win over Eastern Pirates in the Rotorua senior netball championship.

Despite a never-give-up attitude by Pirates at the weekend, Ngongotaha were too strong, especially in their midcourt combinations. But it was the shooting from Taipeti and Hicks which was the difference, especially in the third quarter when they shot nine goals to Pirates' five.

If Ngongotaha were guilty of one thing it was starting each quarter a little more slowly than their opposition. In all but the last quarter Pirates would get a three- or four-goal head start before Ngongotaha would get going, but they were always the stronger finishers.

Pirates defenders used their height to great advantage, with Gladys Matekuare and Kahui Hodgeson often disrupting Taipeti and Hicks. However, it was clear to see Hicks and Taipeti have been working together for some years and it appeared the pair had a sixth sense of where each other would be.

The first quarter of the match was pretty even, with Ngongotaha edging out to a three-point lead.

But both teams looked a little rusty, with laboured passes and the ball being thrown to empty space.

However, once both teams warmed up and the shooters found their marks the game found more flow, with Ngongotaha finishing the quarter 7-6.

The second quarter was probably Taipeti's best, with the goal attack working well with her midcourt partners to find space and put plenty of pressure on Matekuare and Hodgeson. Despite Pirates taking a small two-point lead early in the second quarter, Hicks and Taipeti soon found their rhythm and retook the lead. By the end of the half they were up 16-12.

Pirates brought Veronica Phipps on after the break at wing attack and at first the combination between her and goal attack Hanisi O'Neill looked a little rusty, with the side squandering several chances. O'Neill was a tireless worker throughout but Ngongotaha's ability to move up another notch late in each quarter meant Pirates were always going to struggle to overcome their rivals' might.

A move to centre in the last quarter by Phipps appeared to give Pirates more rhythm in midcourt but Ngongotaha goal keep Lisa Ainsley had a blinder last quarter dominating the Pirates shooters, who were able to score only three goalsto Ngongotaha's nine.

Pirates next week play Western Heights High School senior A team, who were dominated by the more experienced Whakarewarewa Redz 89-31. Ngongotaha will play Whakarewarewa Black. Next week also see the return of collegiate, intermediate and primary championships.