Girls' College sports exchange

Toni-Ann Robinson and Claudia Ryan celebrate goal time during WGC's 14-0 hockey win over St Mary's from Stratford during sports exchange day on Thursday.

The Sport Whanganui review of college sport continues this week focusing on Whanganui Girls' College.

Hosts Whanganui Girls' College made a clean sweep of the annual sports exchange with St Mary's Diocesan School from Stratford on Thursday.

Before the match-ups began a big shout out went to all coaches and team managers turning out in support despite it being a mid-week workday in both provinces, while the weather gods also played their part.

WGC completely dominated the football winning 14-0, the hockey 5-0 and the netball 35-15, but was forced to come from behind to narrowly claim the basketball by a mere two points.

The football, played at Wembley Park, was evenly matched for the first 10 minutes before WGC scored its first goal. This was the first of many for the home side, but St Mary's kept fighting.

"Everyone was very impressed with St Mary's team spirit, they didn't hang their heads but turned around and set up to counter at every opportunity," Dana McClellend said.

"I do not think that the final score of 14-0 reflected the true game and although WGC won the match, St Mary's definitely won on the day for team spirit and fair play."

Player of the Day for WGC went to Sunny Solomon for her fair play and positive attitude.
Both the senior and junior netball teams matched up strongly against St Mary's with convincing wins.

It was great viewing for the WGC students who came to watch and support during the school break with the senior A1 team powering ahead to a 35-15 win. Player of the Match was Rebecca Harrison.

Junior netball continued the winning streak dominating St Mary's from the beginning. WGC delivered some spectacular mid-court combinations and flow through court to win the game 39-8. Player of the Match was awarded to Siena McLean.

The WGC hockey team deserved its 5-0 win.

They worked well together creating space, passing well and talking to one another on the turf.

"St Mary's never dropped their heads, they challenged us to the end and didn't quit. We were impressed by their positive comments on the turf and that helped us to play a good game," team captain Claudia Ryan said.

Most Valuable Player was awarded to Jaime Keelty.

The closest match-up of the day was a nail biter in the basketball. Every year St Mary's have dominated WGC, normally with a large height advantage, and they were not going to submit easily this year either.

St Mary's started strong and held the lead until the dying minutes of the last quarter where WGC managed to get ahead by two points and keep the lead until the final whistle.
With a 28-26 win, Sora Akiba was awarded player of the match.