"The team got thrown around the court for the whole game with Brodie Flower (C) taken out by her opponent, hitting her head on the court and later diagnosed with mild concussion and out for the rest of the tournament," Murphy said.
Sammy Murphy (GS) also had a battle in the goal circle with two physical defenders going down.
"Terehia Gardiner, usually a defence player, came into goal shoot and played a strong game finishing off nicely for Wanganui."
Murphy was also impressed with circle defence work from Jackie Gowler (GD) and Kelera Kuruyabaki (GK).
"We were down three going into the last quarter knowing two turnovers would get us back into the game," Murphy said.
"The whole team lifted above the physical play of Kapi Mana and played outstanding netball to win 28-23."
Wanganui then played against Kapiti.
"The team continued well getting beautiful turnover ball from the defence trio of Kelera (GK), Jackie (GD) and Kelly Davenport (WD). Changes were made through the game with Georgia Walford to (WD), Georgia Nugent-O'Leary (GD), Victoria Anstis (GA) who all came into the game well combining nicely with the rest of team. We won 43-14."
Day three, Wanganui tackled Marlborough to finish the round robin.
The team worked together with great team defence winning the game 50-16.
Finishing top of the pool, Wanganui went into the semi-final playing Kapi Mana. The other semi was Wellington playing Manawatu.
"We knew how Kapi Mana played and stepped up to play a strong game leading from the beginning," Murphy said.
"Jackie Gowler went down twisting her ankle to finish her tournament early. Georgia took her place and worked well in the defence circle with Kelera. Beautiful play through midcourt into the shooters saw Wanganui win the game 36-29 going into the final against Wellington."
Having beat Wellington on day one, Wanganui knew it would be a hard game with the return of Wellington star Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (GA) back in the team after missing the first four games through a family bereavement.
Wellington started well playing a fast controlled game getting a 7-2 lead. We fought back going into first quarter break down 12-10. Rachael Horrocks (captain), who had an outstanding tournament, led her team playing well with great defence work and feeding great ball into shooters Danielle Pearce and Sammy Murphy. Renee Butler (WA) worked tirelessly supporting Horrocks on the circle edge. Defence trio of Davenport (WD), Nugent-O'Leary (GD) and Kuruyabaki (GK) fought hard in the Wellington circle making them work hard to get ball into their shooters, but precise decision-making and talent from their goal attack Mila kept Wellington ahead. With Murphy playing her 9th quarter by half time, coach Murphy made the change bringing Gardiner onto goal shoot where she worked hard but Wellington were too strong for Wanganui and won the match 32-26.
Murphy was rapt with her team and the great effort they showed on court all weekend. They worked well together. Sammy Murphy, Horrocks and Kuruyabaki also made the U17 tournament team.
The U15 team also went to Marjorie Jenden playing a round robin tournament over the three days. Coach Marie Kinloch was overall happy with her team and their never-give-up attitude.
However, she said as a whole there was a lot to work on and the tournament was a real eye-opener for her young players.
"It was great to try different combinations with having to rotate players for the Netball NZ 90-minute player rule," she said.
Kinloch feels her players now need to step up for their next tournament in Palmerston North this Sunday. The U15 team also had two players named in the U15 tournament tea - Ruhia Tamati and Lavenia Nauga.
Results for the U15 team: Wairarapa 17 Wanganui 37, Otaki College Invitation 25 Wanganui 26, Kapi Mana 32 Wanganui 18, Manawatu 28 Wanganui 24, Kapiti 28 Wanganui 23, Wellington Black 43 Wanganui 31, Nelson 20 Wanganui 24, Wellington Gold 37 Wanganui 22, Marlborough 27 Wanganui 25. The team finished 8th overall.
Both teams have their next tournament in Palmerston North on Sunday playing in the Steffenson Cup. Also going are Wanganui Y7, Y8 and U15 development teams.
With Wanganui not having enough players to field an U19 team this year players were invited to trial with Manawatu to make up an U19 team. Ashlee Murphy, Georgia Heffernan (WHS) and Danielle Gray (Nga Tawa) trialled and made the team and will also be playing in the Steffenson Cup on Sunday.
