Netball Wanganui's Y7 coach Lisa Murphy was pleased with her team's performance at the Steffenson Cup in Palmerston North on Sunday.
It was their first taste of rep netball and they showed some great potential.
Wanganui lost to Northern Suburbs 14-10 in their first game. It took them a while to gel, but once sorted they started working together, but could not quite finish.
In their second game of the day, Wanganui went out more determined and balanced the court nicely. Some good shooting from Sammy Murphy (GA) and tireless work from Kayla Spencer (C) helped the team to win 12-5.
Wanganui played Taihape in the last of pool play and won comfortably 16-3. Outstanding defence work from Sophie Collins saw the team move the ball through the court nicely to the shooters.
Wanganui then went into the semi-finals to face Northern Suburbs again. Wanganui worked hard and lead the way to go into the last quarter 2 goals up. But tiredness set in and Northern Suburbs capitalized on Wanganui's mistakes to win the game 17-11.
Year 8's ended up first in Section Two after winning all there games: over Wellington,25-7, Hastings 20-15, Manawatu Development 19-5.
In the semi-finals, they faced Motu Kairangi A, last year's champions who were extremely taller than the Wanganui team.
Coach Trish Anstis was pleased with her team's performance throughout the day, with fine shooting from Georgia Nugent-Oleary, Miriama Thompson, and Bailey Martin.
They received some fine passes into the circle from Victoria Anstis, and Brodie Flower. On defence Grace McMurray, Rangimarie Maihi, and Kelera Kuruyabaki worked tirelessly, gaining valuable turnovers.
With a bit of fine-tuning all looks well for the Molly Dorne tournament on June 28.
Wanganui's U15 team, under the captaincy of Georgia Flower, played outstanding and controlled netball.
Wanganui went down to Napier 27-26 with goal shooter Ashlee Murphy shooting well. Kiri Wilson and Megan Horrocks combined well in the defence circle and made it hard for the opposition to score.
Wanganui lost to Wairarapa in their second game, 30-22. It was a hard-fought game with Megan Horrocks playing outstanding defence.
In their last game Wanganui beat Hastings 26-19. It was a hard game with a lot of intimidating play against them but they kept their composure and out played Hastings to win by seven goals.
Coach Sharon Kaua was very impressed with her girls' display throughout the day, Consistency from Ngaere Chambers, Megan Horrocks and Danielle Pearce shows that the U15 team is continuing to grow leading up to the U15 nationals in July.
Coach Rosie Austin was happy with her U17 team's first tournament results. The tournament provided with her a chance to try various combinations on court in preparation for the U17 nationals next month. ?It finished second placing in pool play after wins against Napier ( 30 - 23 ) , Taranaki Dev ( 35-31 )? and a loss to Wellington Black (26 - 36), but with sufficient goals scored to play off in the top four out of 12 teams.
In the semifinal, Wanganui again faced Wellington's top team but were this time defeated by 51-16. Manawatu won the tournament.
The U17 Development side, coached by Marcelus Paki, came away from the tournament without a win but can hold their heads high for their "never give up" attitude.
Led outstandingly by the experienced Georgia Donald, the team went down to Hutt Valley 22-31, Hastings 30-47 and Manawatu Development 31-33 in section play, as well as Taranaki Development 24-33 in the cross-over game for ninth place.
The team showed moments of great play and were very competitive throughout. However, lapses of intensity and consistency in parts of their games let them down. Players to shine at the tournament include shooter Sharnese Greenfield, the midcourt combination of Hayley Addenbrooke and Te Puawai Chambers, as well as Fiona Weleilakeba and Georgia Donald in defence.
NETBALL: Pleasing performance at Cup
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