Netball: Wanganui High eighth at champs

Netball PHOTO/FILE

The Wanganui High School team again finished the strongest of the local teams at the Lower North Island Secondary School competition in Hastings yesterday, although the high mark of their predecessor could not be reached.

Having finished sixth in the A Grade in 2013, this year's edition of the power netball school finished eighth overall after a 37-32 loss to New Plymouth Girls High School.

Coach Lisa Murphy said she was satisfied with their effort, having tried different combinations, with a lull heading into the third quarter proving costly.

"New team this year, so I'm happy with the result. It was pretty even, then they [NPGHS] went ahead. We were even at one stage, leading up to halftime," she said.

The tournament will mark the end of the WHS netball careers of three Year 13 students, including top goal keep Kelera Kuruyabaki and centre Brodie Flower.

However, towering shooter Sammy Murphy has one more year at school, while the team survived the loss of four 2013 players, including Murphy's older sister Ashlee, to defend their Premier 1 club title this season.

Atrocious weather struck Hawke's Bay on the first two days of the tournament, with torrential rain and strong winds, before conditions improved in the latter half of the week.

Nga Tawa Diocesan School were the next best team from this area, coming 12th overall in A Grade after a 40-29 loss in their last match against Aotea College. Their placing was down from ninth in 2013, when they had more experience.

Wanganui Collegiate finished 14th after also being beaten in their last match against St Oran's 29-25.

In the B Grade, Cullinane College finished seventh overall after beating Hukarere Maori Girls 38-31.

Girls' College placed in the Top 20, after narrowly losing their last game to Aotea College 31-30, which was still an improvement by seven or eight spots on 2013.

Taihape Area School won their last B Grade match with Taita College, 40-36.

The Chronicle incorrectly reported on Thursday that Nga Tawa were in the Bottom 16 of A Grade, rather than Top 16. The Chronicle apologises and regrets any offence the mistake may have caused.