Cullinane and Collegiate in plate final

IMPACT: The injection of wing attack Ina Whanarere added energy and flair to the Cullinane mid-court on Monday night. PHOTO/FILE A_080615WCLGNETBALL10X

The final numbers on the scoreboard did not reflect just how tight the battles were on Monday night as the bottom four battled it out for the Plate Final of the Wanganui Premier One Netball Competition play-offs next week.

First up Cullinane fended off a fervent charge from Ruapehu Sports Club, winning 45-40. Ruapehu had a skeletal team on board with Chaana Morgan (injured), Annie Rolls and Sophia Wallace all missing from the attack end and Maxine Hakaraia (injured) from the defensive end.

This saw mid-court defender Chiquita Albert assume the wing attack role and wing attack Loni Martin move across to goal attack, both players doing an admirable job for their side.

Cullinane started well with goal shoot Shannah Andrews holding strongly and making it easy work for her feeders to put the ball into her from the centre pass. Defenders Brylee Lott at goal keep and Lyric Pikimaui at goal defence picked up a lot of nice ball and Cullinane went to the first break leading 14-10.

Ruapehu defenders Lavenia Nauga-Grey and Shey Rangiihu created some great turnovers. Centre Kataraina Hakaraia had a solid game and together with Nauga-Grey brought the ball down securely to help Ruapehu close the gap to within two at half-time 21-19 to Cullinane.

Despite a 100 per-cent shooting effort from Ruapehu goal attack Loni Martin in the third quarter that saw her side draw even, Cullinane fended the club side off to finish three ahead at the break 32-29.

The injection of wing attack Ina Whanarere added energy and flair to the Cullinane mid-court while centre Tariana Turia and wing defence Ella Duxfiled were pivotal in slowing down Ruapehu's transition onto attack from their defensive end.

Coach Raven Steel, while still keen to see a further reduction in basic errors, was pleased with the overall team effort and particularly proud of how the girls continued and lifted when Turia left the court in the final quarter with injury.

An equally close battle ensued in the next round when fifth seeds Collegiate took on bottom of the table Kaiwhaiki. Collegiate led 12-9 and 22-20 at the first two breaks. Lisa Lin who started at goal shoot, rejoined the defensive end teaming up with Olivia Donald at goal keep and Cheyann McDougall who moved out to wing defence. Together with mid-courters Jasmin Phillips and Mako Osborne, they provided a great supply of ball to their shooters to see their side go on to win 46-38.