The newbies of the Wanganui netball representative teams came away with a creditable second placing in the Year 7 Grade competition in Taupo on Sunday.
Year 7 is the first step on the representative ladder and many of these girls will progress through the grades to higher honours as theseasons go on.
The Taupo event was the final tournament of the season and special dispensation was needed to attend the late tournament.
Coach Ora Nyman was not ready to finish her season in Palmerston North in the July school holidays and got permission from the Netball Wanganui executive to take her team to one more tournament.
Nyman was thrilled with the result and how the girls never gave up on the court against some tough competition.
"The team played some excellent netball throughout the one day tournament in wet conditions," Nyman said.
They won three of four games in pool play, beating Wairoa, Taupo and Central Hawke's Baybefore going down to Te Awamutu in a close match. They still finished top of their pool, taking them into the semi-finals against Napier - which they won comfortably, setting up the final against Rotorua.
This was their sixth game of the day and with tired bodies the team could not compete against a well-drilled all-round Rotorua team, but the Wanganui girls never gave up.
Imogen Flower (GA) combined nicely in the circle with Talitua Leo (GS) with some lovely feeding from Rebecca Tamati (C) and Teagan Tapa (WA). The defence end of Uenuku Maru-Patea (GK), Sharnice Campbell (GD) and Kristin Thompson (WD) worked tirelessly, getting some great turnover ball throughout the day for their team. Shooter Tessa Strang started the day, but became unwell and could not finish the tournament. Sarah Gower James (C) and Katelyn Hull (WD) also came on in games, combining nicely with the team. Nyman was pleased with her team's end result and how the girls have grown and developed in their game over the season. Imogen Flower (GA) and Sharnice Campbell (GD) have been standout players for the season at both ends of the court.
