Netball: U17s fade at tough nationals

BIG GUNS: The Wanganui U17 netball girls were treated to a visit from the Silver Ferns during the age group nationals in North Harbour this week. Silver Fern Joline Henry took time out for a photo shoot with the players. (from back left) Lavenia Nauga, Joline Henry, Kataraina Hakaraia, Sammy Murphy, Kelera Kuruyabaki, Diana Taha-Williams Cribb. (Front) Renee Butler, Roimata Hipango, Sophie Collins, Georgia Walford and Ruhia Tamati (seated). Photo/Supplied

The Wanganui U17 rep netball team are into day four of the NZ U17 Nationals at North Harbour and out of the top 16.

The side started well on Monday with two wins. First up playing Auckland 3 in a physical match, Wanganui won 34-27. The second game was against Marlborough and Wanganui won comfortably 44-21.

Day two was a different story. They faced a tall Dunedin side who had won their games by big margins and looked the team to beat.

Coach Lisa Murphy said Wanganui started well winning the first and second quarters going into halftime five up.

"The team was hungry for ball with Kelera Kuruyabaki (GK) and Sophie Collins (GD) working tirelessly against a very tall goal shoot getting lovely turnover ball,' Murphy said yesterday. "Unfortunately, five minutes into the third quarter GS Sammy Murphy went down with an ankle injury which put her out for the rest of the game. Diana Taha-Williams Cribb came on to GA and Renee Butler went into GS.

"Dunedin started to upset Wanganui's rhythm and clawed their way back into the game. Wanganui did not adapt well to the shooting change still trying to feed high ball into the new combination which allowed Dunedin to get turnover ball."

Wanganui never gave up the fight, but could not maintain their lead and lost 38-26.

The afternoon game against Thames Valley started slowly with the attack struggling to get ball through midcourt into the shooters. A change at quarter break with Roimata Hipango shifting from C to WA and Kataraina Hakaraia to C saw more space open up in the attack end feeding well into the shooter. Unfortunately Wanganui had to play catch-up netball but managed to come back from 10 down to lose 24-22.

Diana Taha-Williams Cribb played well at GA doing a lot of outside work and finishing off with some lovely shots.

This meant Wanganui were out of top 16 so are now playing off for 17-32.

Day three had a good start with Wanganui playing Nelson. Sammy Murphy got physio treatment and strapped allowing her to come back on court.

"The girls fired from the first whistle and controlled the game to lead at every quarter.

"Controlled netball from the whole seven players helped the girls win the game 33-26," Murphy said.

Wanganui played Canterbury Country in their last game.

"We once again played controlled netball looking after our own ball. Kelera Kuruyabaki came out in force with the support from Sophie Collins (GD) and Georgia Walford (WD) with some outstanding turnover ball which went down through the court into the shooters to finish off.

"The attacking line up of Kataraina Hakaraia (C) and Roimata Hipango (WA) worked beautifully through midcourt to get the ball into shooter Renee Butler (GA) and Sammy Murphy (GS)."

Wanganui now play Southland at 10am today.

"If we win this game we will be playing off for 17th-18th spot,' Murphy said.

"But it is four days of physical netball and the girls are giving their all. Nationals is very cut throat and it only takes one close loss to change the whole dynamics of the week."