Sports News

Pizza Barn BBC Waipu and Whangarei Girls High School 1 played a fast-paced, athletic and aerial game in the Whangarei Premier Netball Competition.

However, where BBC Waipu lacked the confidence to finish, the WGHS 1 team were hardened, polished and practised in their execution to win 76-24.

Girls High coach Dee Telfer named Jaimee-Lee Tito as player of the day for her consistent game plus her numerous turnovers throughout the game; she was also safe and strong with the ball on attack. Tito was well supported by Shannon French at centre who had another strong presence in this game with her attacking and defensive skills throughout the court and by Shawni Paniona, who is growing in confidence with each game in both attacking and shooting.

For BBC Waipu, Kelsey Power at centre and at goal attack was a tireless workhorse, showing stubborn pride throughout the game and never giving up. Coach Toni Power also felt Chelsea Mitchell, playing both attack and defence, had an outstanding game and Courtney Blindell applied good defensive pressure on the tall and normally consistent WGHS shooter Alanah Vinson.

The Manawanui versus Takahiwai 1 game was predicted to be close, as both teams - ranked fourth and sixth respectively - can perform on the day.

Manawanui coach Marge Rahui said she felt the team had improved its performance from their previous game and they were tenacious, sticking to the task at hand and doing the hard yards as a unit for the whole 60 minutes.

For spectators there was a moment of stunned silence during the game when one of the Manawanui players was sent off for a couple of goals for persistent and constant infringing, a rare occurrence in the Whangarei Premier competition but certainly a common spectacle in the ANZ championship games. For Takahiwai 1, goal shoot Ale Gwynne was named player of the day for her accurate shooting and strong positioning. Deborah Harding, Takahiwai coach, also felt that Belinda Dawson at goal defence, ably supported by Hannah Edge at wing defence then goal keep, both played a good defensive game. Takahiwai skipper Francida Doak felt it was a real team effort with the team all supporting each other and managing to put into play what they practised. This was not enough on the night with Takahiwai only winning the third quarter. Manawanui ended up winning by just four goals, with the final score being 65-61. Takahiwai 1 will take away a point for the close score.

In the Onerahi 1 versus Onerahi 2 game, there was a lot of umpire involvement which possibly contributed to the low-scoring game. Onerahi 1 did not play their normal fast, fluid and highly skilled game. Jane Southee at centre however had a strong and solid game. Onerahi 2 played well and took the opportunities when they had them, especially in the second quarter which they lost by only a goal. Coach Jess Lowe said Kim Leemeyer at wing defence had an outstanding game. Rochelle Skelton at goal attack also had a strong game with some accurate shooting. Onerahi 1 won comfortably in the end, 55-37.

Semenoff Transport Fideliter 1 cemented their reputation as a growing threat to Premier teams by beating Old Boys 1 in a low-scoring, see-sawing, physical game. Fideliter 1 led all the way and Coach Carol McClintock said the outstanding players were Jo Cooper at wing attack with excellent feeding to the shooters, Lara Tipene at centre with her dynamic attacking and defensive work, Nicky Taylor at shooter with her reliable and confident shooting and Alisha Takimoana at goal keep for her excellent defensive work. Sharron Te Paa, coach for Old Boys felt that Jude Barber at goal defence had a strong defensive game. Fideliter 1 was too slick and won 47 goals to Old Boys 26.

 The Northern Advocate      Judy Macdonald | 3rd May 2011