"Karaihi Peina at wing attack was her usual livewire self, dominating centre passes and feeding the shooters with ease and also picking up a few intercepts to help on defence. Julie Rowan and Aneka Erueti stepped up in the shooting circle putting in some beautiful shots at times."
Meanwhile, the full court defence helped create numerous turnovers with wing defence Emily Huwyler and centre Hayley Addenbrooke picking up valuable ball outside the circle edge.
With fresh legs needed at halftime, Waimanawa Potaka-Osborne came on as wing defence and her strong presence bringing the ball through court helped open up the attack end.
East Club Sportsedge led by a small margin at the end of each quarter, up by only three or four goals in the closing five minutes, so Jevada Kinniard at goal keep and Amiria Paranihi at goal defence took some vital intercepts and rebounds to help secure the match.
It was a valiant effort from the young Nga Tawa girls who had played three inter-school matches in the lead-up to Monday night's final game of round robin play. Nga Tawa had played an inter-school match on Sunday and two during the day on Monday.
However, Nga Tawa manager Robyn Walford made no excuses for Monday's close loss.
"We were just happy to finish in the top four and get into the semis. Thankfully we had enough competition points to stay there. The girls have played well all season and deserve their spot," Walford said.
SportsEdge have a tough semifinal now against a Phillips Electrical Wanganui High School side that remained unbeaten during round robin play with a gutsy 55-41 victory over defending champions Wanganui Car Kaierau.
WHS coach Lisa Murphy conceded it was a hard battle against Kaierau.
"It was close throughout and a hard, physical game, but we came away with a win in the end," Murphy said yesterday.
Semifinals
Nga Tawa v Kaierau (6pm)
WHS v East Club SportsEdge (7.45pm)
Play-off for fifth and sixth: Collegiate v Marist (6.45pm)
