Two teams remain unbeaten after night two of Wanganui premier netball and will provide an interesting spectacle when they clash for the first time on June 10.
Phillips Electrical Wanganui High School A1 (WHS) and competition newcomers East Club Sports Edge dominated their respective rivals at Springvale Stadium.
WHS comprehensivelybeat Marist A1 50-34 despite missing four key players and being forced to run with just the seven girls, while East Club Sports Edge gave Collegiate a 49-28 drubbing. In the other game Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau A1 whipped Nga Tawa 47-23.
WHS coach Lisa Murphy was missing daughter Sammy, Rachael Horrocks and Ngaere Chambers through injury and with Porchers Masters away, was forced to start with the bare minimum courtside.
"It took us the two quarters to settle into the game. Ashlee Murphy (GS) and Renee Butler (GA) combined nicely in the shooting circle with Renee (first year in A1 team) stepping up and controlling the attack end moving the circle well. Our circle defence, Kelera Kuruyabaki (GK) and Georgia Heffernan (GD) worked hard and forced huge turnover ball for WHS," Murphy said.
Meanwhile, East Club Sports Edge coach Trish Anstis's precision passing and great finishing from the shooters provided the edge they needed.
"The first quarter was fairly even, but we went four up in the second quarter. I did a bit of fine-tuning at half time and it worked out well," Anstis said.
"I put Amiria Paranihi and Terehia Gardiner in at circle defence and it made a big difference. They picked up a lot of intercept ball, while Waimanawa Potaka-Osborne displayed some precision passing into the shooting circle from centre.
"Shooters Aneka Erueti and Julie Rowan sunk some beautiful shots. I'm really rapt with the way all the girls are performing," Anstis said.
Meanwhile, Kaierau dominated the first quarter 16-5 against Nga Tawa. Suzanne Guildford (GS) held nicely in the circle and was fed well by wing attack Amy Archer and centre Kate Hutchings. Rachael Lynch came on at goal attack in second quarter working well with Guildford.
Still struggling to find form in the shooting circle, Nga Tawa coach Marama Cameron made a huge change putting defender Jackie Gowler into goal attack. Nga Tawa defence, Georgia Nugent-O'Leary and Dani Grey, worked tirelessly making it hard for the Kaierau shooters, but found themselves lacking in attacking drive from the defence bringing ball through court.
Changes were made to Nga Tawa putting Gowler back to the defence end and bringing Victoria Anstis onto goal attack and Georgia Walford to centre from wing attack replacing her with Sophie Hall.
However, it was all to no avail with Kaierau running out convincing 47-23 winners.
Premier netball will resume the week after Queen's Birthday Weekend.
