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Series leaders Wanganui High School A1 showed real grit to bounce back from a 10-point deficit to maintain their unbeaten record in the Premier 1 Netball championship.
The Phillips Electrical-sponsored side drew 46-46 with a gutsy Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau.
Both went into Monday's second game of the Top 4 round robin unbeaten, but WHS have the better goal difference. In fact, WHS have a near perfect record after winning the championship last season unbeaten.
WHS started well in the first quarter but the quarter finished locked up at 11-11. In the second quarter WHS did not settle well, errors creeping in and Kaierau scoring off them. The halftime honours went to Kaierau 26-20.
WHS coach Lisa Murphy made changes at halftime. With Leila Blackburn still out with an ankle injury, Rose Wainhouse had started again at GD, working with Kelera Kuruyabaki (GK). But Murphy needed more drive through midcourt in bringing the ball on attack, so put Ruhia Tamati into GD, a position with which she was familiar from her intermediate days.
"Diana Taha-Williams Cribb came into WA strongly, feeding Sammy Murphy some lovely ball, who once again had a shooting rate of 89 per cent," coach Murphy said.
At the three-quarter break WHS were 32-40 down.
Some great team defence allowed WHS back into the game in the fourth quarter and they scored the first three goals, then had two phases in the quarter of three goals in a row.
Renee Butler (GA), Taha-Williams Cribb (WA), Brodie Flower (C) and Kayla Spencer (WD) put pressure down court to allow Kuruyabaki and Tamati to get turnover ball.
Murphy was pleased with her team's effort and their "never say die" attitude coming back from 10 goals down part of the way through the third quarter to draw 46-46.
"They are a great bunch of girls and just work as a unit so well."
Kaierau coach Marama Cameron conceded her team had succumbed to the pressure of the final quarter.
"It was a really good game and we had their measure for much of the match, but unfortunately the pressure of the situation in the last quarter got to us. It's an opportunity to learn from as the finals loom - we're still in the hunt," Cameron said.
She singled out the defence pairing of Mel Crothers (GD) and Abbey Sherman (GK) for good performances.
"Especially Abbey, who is new to the team, and she was up against Sammy Murphy."
Murphy's height in the shooting circle gives WHS an advantage on attack.
Meanwhile, East Club Sportsedge beat Kaiwhaiki 54-44.
Sportsedge made a slow start, just edging out Kaiwhaiki 12-10 at the first quarter break. Sportsedge squandered possession at times, instead of playing with patience.
"I made some changes at halftime, bringing Tash Anahera-Karenga King on as wing attack and moved livewire Kairaihi Peina out to centre," Sportsedge coach Trish Anstis said.
"This combination proved to work well, with Victoria Anstis (GA) and Julie Rowan (GS) finding space and finishing off nicely. Midcourt pressure from captain De Shannon Matthews at wing defence and Airini Potaka (GD) created numerous turnovers that Kaitlyn Couchman (GK) fed off."
Sportsedge finished strongly.
Mint Cafe Marist played one of their better games of the competition to claim a 44-43 victory over Cullinane in a bottom-four battle. It was only Marist's second win in this season's competition.
Marist coach Sharon Kaua has been forced to battle injuries and losing players overseas.
"For me, a win is a win - it's been a tough season with injuries and players leaving for overseas. We are building again for next season, but I thought our captain Melissa Hapi combined very well with Te Atawhai McDonnell (GD) to feed the newest member of our team, Madison Rourangi (C).
"They worked brilliantly to bring the ball up court," Kaua said.
Cameron, who also coaches the Collegiate girls, was pleased with her team despite a 36-31 loss to Taihape in the other bottom four match-up.
"It was a very physical game - not dirty, but physical. We knew Taihape would bring a physical game and I was pleased with the way the young Collegiate girls handled it.
"They are progressing very well for such a young side," Cameron said.