Injuries play a role in disappointing finish

Netball PHOTO/FILE

There were some very tired bodies in the Wanganui team at the conclusion of the 2015 Netball NZ Under-17 Championships in Mt Maunganui yesterday.

Ultimately, the team finished 23rd, a disappointment after reaching 17th last year at Netball NZ's largest participation event, but understandable, given their disrupted preparations and high injury toll.

Only taking a nine-player squad to the Habourside Netball Centre, coach Parekura Muraahi said she had four more injuries over the course of the four days of games.

"It was a real challenge."

Three players - goal shoot Taliah Su'a and attack Niamh Flower, along with wing attack Diana Taha Williams-Cribb - played every minute of their eight matches.

Muraahi said the trio deserve special praise for their stamina as they are not even the regular starters for their Wanganui High School team.

Wanganui were beaten 40-30 by Thames Valley in their post-section game yesterday morning, starting badly to be seven goals down and, while they went goal-for-goal from then on, the damage was done.

They got some consolation in the afternoon with their best effort of the tournament, a 50-29 win over Mid Canterbury.

Muraahi said the team's defence forced a lot of turnovers and they then executed in text book fashion to run out comfortable winners.

"It was beautiful last game, they played like they should have on the first day."