Netball: Four new teams join Premier Indoor competition

Asher Grapes at GA for University Premier. Photo / Judy Macdonald

Indoor Premier Results
University of Waikato Premier Reserve 35 vs Waikato Diocesan Open A 55
St Peter's Premier 82 vs FTNC Premier Reserve 30
Hamilton Girls High Premier 39 vs Nottingham Castle Rangers 55
Iwi Karearea Premier 30 vs University of Waikato Premier 60
Verdettes Marist Old Girls vs FTNC Premier
St Paul's Collegiate Open A vs Verdettes Marist Premier

The first week of the new-look Indoor Premier netball competition had 12 teams take the court on Thursday night.

Four new teams joined the competition from last season, including Hamilton Girls' High Premier, St Paul's Collegiate Open, Iwi Karearea Premier and a University Premier Reserve team.

Returning teams from last season were Fraser Tech Netball Centres Premier and Premier Reserve, Nottingham Castle Rangers, St Peter's Premier, University Premier, Verdettes Marist Old Girls and Premier and Waikato Diocesan Open A.

This makes for a larger competition with two rounds of three games apiece on a Thursday night at the Rototuna Peak Recreation Centre.

While this may mean some wide range in scores from time to time it is an ideal development opportunity for players, coaches, umpires and bench officials.

A number of spectators were at each game, supporting the college/high school teams.

As expected on the first night there were some low scoring and high scoring games.

The game of the night was between Verdettes Marist Old Girls and FTNC Premier, with both teams having skilled and experienced players.

This game started strongly with everything being contested. FTNC Premier led by a goal at the end of the first quarter but by half time Marist Old Girls had reversed this to lead by two goals.

FTNC Premier came out firing and the whole team worked cohesively with some great defence throughout court and nice shooting.

The half time score was 23 goals to 21.

In the second half Marist Old Girls were able to strengthen their lead to win the game 53 goals to 37, however, the score did not reflect how close this game was at times.

Marist Old Girls took a while to get into their groove and they appeared to struggle in the first half to get ball to the shooters and to finish off but this was rectified in the second half.

For FTNC Premier T'Neya Onehi-Karena at goal keep had an outstanding game and paired well with captain and goal defence Bex Otaway.

Hayley Stockman at GS for Marist Old Girls being defended by T'Neya Onehi-Karena at GK for FTNC Premier. Photo / Judy Macdonald

The team was pleased with the result especially against an experienced team like Old Girls. Overall a great spectator game.

The other close game was between Hamilton Girls High Premier and Nottingham Castle Rangers.

At the end of the first quarter the Rangers had a slim one-goal lead but by half time they were ahead by seven goals leading 29 goals to 22.

The lead was further increased over the remaining two quarters and Rangers won the game 55 goals to 39.

For Rangers they knew the competition was going to be tough so they kept grinding and scoring off their own centre pass.

Tegan Broomfield at goal keep played well getting turnover ball at critical times and demonstrating a strong lean over the ball on defence.

Emily Ussher at goal attack improved in performance over the course of the game and she fed and shot well particularly in the second half.

Hamilton Girls shook off nerves and excitement to be playing indoors in the premier league. Shooters Ivari Christie and Armanee Shepherd are players to watch for the future due to their natural talent and skills.

Overall a good first effort from the young team and they showed a lot of promise.

Waikato Diocesan Open A started their season well with a win over University of Waikato Premier Reserve.

Waikato Dio only had a slim one-goal lead at the end of the first quarter but were ahead by five goals at half time.

The half time score was 23 goals to 15. They then had a very strong third quarter and a tidy final quarter. They won the game 55 goals to 35.

St Paul's Collegiate Open A also had a win against Verdettes Marist Premier.

Dominant in the first quarter they led by 11 goals at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was close and they only increased their lead by a goal with the half time score being 24 goals to 12.

In the third quarter it was very competitive and they increased their lead by a goal.

They stepped it up in the final quarter to win 46 goals to 25.

University of Waikato Premier had a strong showing from start to finish in their game against Iwi Karearea Premier.

They showed their class to be ahead by 12 goals at the end of the first quarter and were ruthless in the second quarter to lead by 37 goals to 13 at half time.

The second half was more competitive with both teams making changes.

In the third quarter there was only one goal the difference. Uni Premier finished strongly and won the game 60 goals to 30.

St Peter's Premier produced the highest score of the night and the most comprehensive win.

This young team showed business-like precision from the first whistle and they were ahead by 16 points at the end of the first quarter and the half time score was 48 goals to 13.

The second half was also strong and they won 82 goals to 30 over FTNC Premier Reserve.

This was a great start to the season for St Peter's and an outstanding performance.