Netball: High School, Cullinane seal top eight spots

Collegiate shooter Grace McMurray takes a shot with pressure from WHS defenders Leila Blackburn (jumping) and Kelera Kuruyabaki. Watching for rebounds from the circle edge is Imogen Jex-Blake (Collegiate) and Kayla Spencer(WHS). PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Wanganui High School and Cullinane College are through to their respective top eight play-offs in the Lower North Island Secondary School Netball Competition in Hastings.

WHS, winners of the last two Wanganui Premier Netball Championships, were joined by Wanganui Collegiate and Nga Tawa in the A-grade, while Cullinane, Wanganui Girls College (WCC) and Taihape Area School (TAS) are competing in the B-grade of the week-long championship.

WHS were unbeaten in the LNISS tournament until meeting defending champions St Mary's from Wellington yesterday afternoon. However, the 45-22 loss meant little in the larger picture with WHS having already qualified for the A-grade top eight after winning all their other games since day one on Monday.

Cullinane remained unbeaten up until yesterday ensuring they cemented their place in the B-grade top eight.

WHS claimed the scalps of Havelock North High (45-19), Waitara High (47-8), Wanganui Collegiate (32-14) and Kapiti (42-16) on their way through this week.

Cullinane whipped Wairoa College 58-14, Manawatu College 45-21, and beat Rua Mano (34-20) and Makoura College (40-24).

Both teams are now poised to advance further today and tomorrow in the top eight play-offs against sides yet to be determined.

Nga Tawa, WGC and TAS have had mixed results since Monday without winning enough to make their respective top eights. All three are now in the playoffs in the bottom-16 section that also continues over the next two days.

WHS coach Lisa Murphy said there was no disgrace in being beaten by St Mary's Wellington, a side she described as a "beautiful, classy" team.

"St Mary's are the defending national secondary schools champions and are a beautiful and classy team to watch and play against," Murphy said.

"The girls played well and did all they could against St Mary's, but they were simply too strong. We finished sixth at this tournament last year, so we'll be looking to improve on that over the next two days now we are assured of a spot in the top eight."