Three sides already set for playoffs

Three of the four semifinalists have been found in the Wanganui Premier 1 Netball competition with just one game of pool play to go in the season.

Phillips Electrical Wanganui High School is on the only unbeaten side this year with yet another convincing 60-39 win over Collegiate on Monday night.

Wins by Nga Tawa and Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau assure those teams of second and third spots on the points table respectively, leaving Collegiate and East Club Sports Edge to fight out for fourth spot and a semifinal berth next week. Sports Edge currently sit in fourth spot with 12 points, just two ahead of Collegiate on 10 and victory next Monday will decide their fate. Unfortunately, Marist sits at the bottom of the table with nine losses from nine games this season.

WHS has definitely made its mark this season with steady, controlled netball and the same applied on Monday against Collegiate.

Coach Lisa Murphy said while the match was not a walk-over for her young team, it was pleasing to remain unbeaten this season.

"Collegiate probably played some of the best netball I've seen them play this season, but our girls rose to the occasion and came out fighting," Murphy said yesterday.

"As usual we played steady, controlled netball. Ngaere Chambers was ill, so Teremai Potaka-Osborne came on at wing defence for the entire game and fitted in extremely well. We are just pleased to remain unbeaten and are now assured a spot in the semifinals," she said.

Defending champions Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau now have a chance at retaining their title with points starting from scratch again from the semifinals.

"We've secured our semifinal spot, so the opportunity is there for us to defend our title from last season," coach Marie Kinloch said yesterday.

"Last night our defensive unit played outstanding netball. In fact, the entire team played very well as a combination. To win 40-34 over Sports Edge was good and well-deserved," she said.

Nga Tawa assured its semifinal berth with a dominant 45-27 over Marist on Monday.

Coach Marama Cameron said her girls did just what she had asked of them.

"It was quite a dominant win in the end and I cleaned the bench with everyone getting game time except one that was crook. It was really pleasing to secure a semifinal spot," Cameron said.