Marist A1 GD Melissa Timoti leaps to tip the shot made by the Photo / Paula Jones
A point was all it took to cause the boilover in round five of the Whanganui Premier A1 Netball competition on Monday night.
Kaiwhaiki moved into fourth equal with Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau after beating the defending champions 52-51, while premiership leaders Inspire Health & Fitness Mere Te Aroha remain at the top on 14 points despite drawing with Mint Cafe Marist 49-all.
The biggest blowout of the night, however, came when Phillips Electrical Whanganui High School thumped Ruapehu 72-28.
While injuries and illness continue to hinder Kaiwhaiki, co-coaches Aneka Brown and Te Rina Peina were impressed with their efforts to immediately adjust to positional and player amendments.
Taking the court for the first time this season, Sharnarose Pehi (GS) teamed up with Michelle Paranihi (GA) and both fought tirelessly to convert goals against an impressive Kaierau defensive unit.
Patience and perseverance summarised the midcourt efforts of Kahureremoa Aki (C) and Waimanawa Potaka-Osborne Whanarere (WA) to retain ball possession. Young defender Taliatua Leo stepped up to the challenge with some fine intercepts and tips, while the last quarter arrival of player/co-coach Peina (GK) added experience and defensive pressure to gain crucial turnovers.
"As newby co-coaches we are really proud of the team's overall efforts and improvements made this far," they said.
"Another game that could have gone either way for us, however, we are really stoked to have come away with the win."
Kaierau coach Walter Edmonds paid tribute to the opposition.
"Credit to the Kaiwhaiki mid court, who were stand outs for me," Edmonds said.
"(It was) Exciting netball to watch as a spectator as it was a really tight contest that could have gone either way. We started off on the back foot from the beginning with a slow start and that put us under pressure early.
"I made changes after the first quarter in order to try to establish some flow and to hopefully disrupt Kaiwhaiki in attack reintroducing Karaihi Peina to WA, Gerogia Flower to GA and moving Rachel Lynch from GA to GD to partner up with Lisa Lin at GK.
"The changes seemed to work as we were able to close the lead to 1 by half time, pull in front at the end of the third quarter, but due to some ill-discipline and lack of execution in critical moments of the game we weren't able to finish.
"We'll pick up and work hard over the holiday break to come back stronger."
Meanwhile, Marist A1 definitely came out to play against Mere Te Aroha, but a draw was all both sides could muster.
Marist A1 captain Tash Bullock led the attack well, directing Cara Blake (C) and Tash Kingi (WA) to feed some nice ball into GS Mikayla Pihema-Taiaroa.
Coach Sharon Kaua said Blake played outstandingly for Marist both on attack and defence. In the second quarter she combined well with Alicia Prince (WA) and fed some controlled ball into the shooting circle.
"The defence struggled to adjust to the referee's distance of three feet, which created high penalty counts in the shooting circle at both ends," Kaua said.
"The game could have gone either way with both teams having the opportunities to take the lead. Marist defence ensured the work rate remained high for the MTA shooters."
In the dying seconds of the game Marist were ahead 49-48, but a penalty in MTA's shooting circle led to a fantastic GS to slot the goal and post the draw.
"The girls had to make adjustments throughout the game and keep building the intensity at each quarter, " Kaua said.
MTA started the match well converting some early turnover ball with GA Alanieta Nareki and GS Te Manawanui Tapa-Ranginui both shooting well.
"However, Marist really took it up a gear in the second quarter which took my girls too long to adjust allowing simple mistakes to creep into the game," coach Deshannon Matthews said.
"Co-captain Tariana Turia (WA) took to the court at halftime, it was her speed and drive that was much-needed. However, down the other end another beautiful game by my back three, Kelera Kuruyabaki (GK), Sylvah Anderson (GD) and Lucy Stewart (WD)."
In the third quarter Matthews sent Stewart off the court with an ankle injury, signalling the arrival of Jordi Kotuhi-Brown who put in a solid defensive effort.
"My youngest player, Te Whetu O Te Ata Matthews-Koro at 14 started the match at centre and played with so much confidence and experience beyond her years combining well with both her shooters and defence. I am very proud of my girls they all played brilliantly under pressure and showed real maturity against an experienced Marist team," Matthews said.