If Marist A1 is to be challenged in Wanganui netball this season, it will probably be Ratana to do it.
While Marist A1 eased its way to a 72-23 win over the travelling Ruapehu team, Ratana knocked over Marist A2 at least as impressively as Marist's top side had managed the previous week.
Ratana's 66-38 win was marked, though, by a disappointing finish which gave coach Robyn O'Leary some ammunition to tune her troops up with.
But really, she didn't appear too worried.
Arakuhu lurched its way to a 42-34 win over Kaierau in the other match, but of serious concern to coach Karen Eureti was the way her team loosened up as the match went on and proceeded to have less impressive quarters.
Witness this ? 14-7 (1st), 11-9 (2nd), 9-9 (3rd) and 8-10 (last quarter).
Erureti says her team is only able to practice once a fortnight because some of the team members live in Palmerston North.
They'll have to sort that one out if they are to become a REALLY serious challenger. At present they're just a serious one.
But back to Ratana.
Coach Robyn O'Leary has them for the first time, and only such has been the turnover from last year that only Angel Hamahona and centre Kiah Reweti are left.
The remainder give Ratana its youngest team in years and something for O'Leary to get her coaching teeth into.
"I was happy with some parts of the game, but there was a lack of discipline in the end. But they're a developing side, a new side ? it's rebuilding because it's lost is shape from the previous year.
"There is a lot of refreshing young talent out there ? I'm really excited about this. There's a lot more to see from them yet, it's a work in progress."
Players to catch the eye were last year's Collegiate star Rebecca Hughes at goal defence, Hamahona at goal shoot, and Tenille McDonnell, who came on at wing defence and displayed many nice touches.
Marist was its usual dominating self against Ruapehu, but the latter produced a couple of interesting players in Te Atawhai McDonnell at goal defence and goal keep, and Mihi Te Tawahara at goal attack.
Ramona Thompson , Arnie Erueti and Maewa Love did well for Arakuhu, while goal attack Kelsi Ayrton and replacement Rachael Lynch formed a second half relationship for Kaierau which started to really worry Arakuhu.
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