Netball: Year 8 team comes second

The Wanganui Year 8 representative netball team after their Intermediate tournament in Palmerston North. Photo/Supplied

The Wanganui Year 8 representative team had a lot of stiff competition at the weekend but still finished runner-up at the Intermediate tournament in Palmerston North at the weekend.

Netball Wanganui's Year 7 also competed at the same event and came third in their grade.

Year8 coach Te Ora Nyman was ecstatic with her team's efforts, considering both captain and shooter Imogen Flower and goal defender Shanice Campbell were battling the flu.

Wanganui beat home team Manawatu in their first game 26-24, then had a comfortable 27-18 win over Taranaki.

Motu Kairangi, who have been their nemesis team this season, edged past Wanganui 25-22 to finish out the day.

Wanganui rebounded to play with more structure and finesse in their opening Day 2 match against Hawke's Bay, winning 21-17.

Dannevirke was next and Nyman was able to play her whole Wanganui bench as Flower and goal shoot Montel Aki had 91 per cent accuracy, allowing their team's game to flow nicely, ultimately winning 34-11.

O'Sharn Kata came into the shooting circle with Flower shifting to GS and extending the lead.

Vice captain Taina Nauga (GK) and Campbell led the defence end and provided many intercepts and tips, getting the ball back to a hard working midcourt in Teagan Tapa (WA), Rebecca Tamati (C) and Sarah Gower-James (WD).

Talitua Leo' (GD) and Emma Haitana (WA) would come on as impact players.

That set up the final and a rematch with Motu Kairangi, who played a beautiful defence game and were clearly the better team on this occasion, winning 30-17.

Nyman was proud of the determination the team showed, despite players feeling unwell. Flower, Aki and Tapa were all named in the tournament team, which Nyman said was a rare feat to have three players named in the team, since bigger regions often have 2-3 teams competing in the same grade.