Rare premier netball match-up

Ruapehu is on the hunt to find its mojo after three losses in as many rounds of the Whanganui premier netball championship.

Mint Cafe Marist A1 came up trumps in a rare Whanganui premier netball match-up on Monday night.

The premier division this season includes two Marist sides with the arrival of the A2 team and it has been several years since both Marist Netball Club teams played against each other in the Monday night league.

Marist A1 won the round three match 58-22.

Marist A1 coach Sharon Kaua said both teams came out strong, however, the A1 defensive line up of Sarah Teki-Clark (GD), Melissa Timoti (WD) and Lavinia Nauga (GK) were in-form.

"They were able to navigate some poor passes from Marist A2 into the shooting circle and display some lovely intercepts and tips," Kaua said.

"Cara Blake (C) and Tash Kingi (WA) worked well together and drove nicely through the court and fed some terrific ball into the shooting circle to Paula Jones (GS) and Alicia Prince (GA). By half time A1 led 28-14."

Goal shoot Nikki Crawford came onto the court in the third quarter and used her height to pull in some terrific passes by Prince, Blake and Kingi.
"A1 displayed a strong defensive game throughout the court causing confusion with the opposition and capitalising with interceptions and held ball. This quarter was by far the best as A2 were only able to score two goals."

But Kaua said it was fitness, intensity and a full team focus that lifted the team as they went into the final quarter.

"Luisa Bogileka (WD) played a fast and furious defensive game gaining tips and intercepts which were capitalised down the shooting end by Prince and Crawford," Kaua said.

Meanwhile, defending champions Wanganui Car centre Kaierau bounced back defeat last week to account for Taihape 50-43.

Kaierau head coach Walter Edmonds was delighted the team was able to hold out a spirited mid-match challenge from Taihape to take the game.

"Another tightly contested game as expected. We started off really strongly pulling out to a nice lead and I was pleased that we were able to hold off Taihape's challenge mid-game and finish really strongly.

"Madison Engert at goal shoot released some pressure and at the attack end was able to find some consistent flow through court and into goal."

Taihape and Kaierau were locked on 24 points apiece after the first quarter and the scoreline had swung Kaierau's way 37-36 by the end of the third. It wasn't until the final quarter that the titlehoders were able to draw away for the 50-43 victory.

In other match-ups Phillips Electrical Whanganui High School A1 led throughout to hold Kaiwhaiki to just four points at the final whistle. WHS won the game 63-59. Mere Te Aroha continued on its winning way beating Ruapehu 43-30. MTA also led throughout winning the first quarter by a single point 9-8 before taking control of the game.