Netball: Kaierau beat younger rivals in 'stable' clash

PHOTO/FILE

Experience counted for plenty during the clash between stablemates Kaierau and Collegiate in the Wanganui Premier netball competition on Monday night.

Both teams are coached by Marama Cameron and Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau proved far too strong for the younger and less experienced Collegiate side who succumbed 54-25.

Collegiate is a youthful side with many of the team still in Year 11 in secondary school, but must have been buoyed by their first win in the competition with a 35-29 victory over Mint Cafe Marist just last week.

Cameron elected to sit on the Collegiate bench for Monday's clash of the stablemates, content in the knowledge that experience and a more than capable management crew would keep Kaierau in good spirits.

Kaierau remain unbeaten along with East Club Sportsedge and Phillips Electrical Wanganui High School. All three are on the same points, although Sportsedge technically leads on goal average followed by Kaierau and WHS.

Sportsedge did not have it all their own way, beating Taihape 60-55 on Monday.

Taihape came out firing and at the end of the first quarter the score was even 13-13. The second quarter saw a lift in intensity from Sportsedge with the defence from Renee Pescin (C), Deshannon Matthews (WD) and the circle defence Airini Potaka (GD) and Kaitlyn Couchman (GK) picking up some timely intercepts. These were finished off at the attacking end with a fine display of shooting from Victoria Anstis (GA) and Julie Rowan (GS) for a half time score of 30-24.

Taihape came out fighting in the third quarter and Sportsedge turnovers allowed the northern visitors to stay within reach.

"In the final quarter, I made a few changes, moving Amanda McKellar from goal defence back to goal attack, and moved Matthews and Pescini around which helped created some much needed possession," Sportsedge coach Trish Anstis said.

"Unfortunately, there were still too many turnovers, but experience and composure got us through in the end."

WHS A1 again came out on top 56-43 over Kaiwhaiki.

With captain Brodie Flower out with a shoulder injury from last week's game, WHS coach Lisa Murphy put Ruhia Tamati into centre and Diana Taha-Williams Cribb into wing attack. They worked nicely feeding the shooters Renee Butler (GA) and Sammy Murphy (GS).

The defensive end worked hard getting some great turnover ball which was executed through the court into the shooters to finish off.

Murphy was able to put her whole team on the court on Monday night allowing the girls who have not had a lot of court time an opportunity.

The scheduled Marist/Cullinane match-up has been deferred to next Thursday (June 26) with most of the Cullinane girls away on a geography trip.