Netball: Kaierau excel on defence in handy win

Whanganui High School goal shoot Montel Vaiao Aki piled on the points in Monday s win over Cullinane College.

A solid defensive effort underpinned Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau's convincing win over Mere Te Aroha when premier one netball resumed on Monday evening.

The two-week gap for school holiday rep tournaments had done nothing to blunt Kaierau's edge as Netball Whanganui's defending champions continued their unbeaten season.

Kaierau coach Walter Edmonds was delighted to clear his bench and give every player court time in the 61-36 victory.

He was pleased with the defensive work across the court which laid the foundations, while up front, goal shoot Susan Guilford continued her consistent form this season.

Second-placed Phillips Electrical Whanganui High School went into their game against Cullinane College on something of a high, with six of the squad having been part of the under-17 rep team that came a magnificent seventh in last week's New Zealand Championships.

High School came home 61-35 in a fairly one-sided game that saw the Cullinane players have to do the hard yards with just seven players turning out.

In contrast, High School coach Lisa Murphy was able to use all her 10-player squad and had the luxury of trying a few different combinations as the game wore on.

Montel Vaiao Aki was again racking up the goals as she led the WHS attack, ably aided by goal attack Imogen Flower, while goal keep Kara Adrole proved a formidable obstacle for the Cullinane spearhead.

The third match saw Kaiwhaiki sweep aside Mint Café Marist, the 71-39 scoreline keeping Kaiwhaiki firmly in third spot, and Marist in fourth.

There are three more round-robin games before the playoffs, and Mere Te Aroha and Cullinane have their work cut out to get into that top four and extend their seasons.