1^st /2^nd playoff - Tu Toa defeat Mount Albert Grammar 31-30

Tu Toa and Mount Albert Grammar gave the crowd what they really wanted, a nail biting, gripping game played at a level of intensity and skill that left you forgetting how old these secondary school girls are.

Tu Toa got out to a slight lead in the first half  - putting the pressure on early and finding space through the midcourt where Mount Albert Grammar stuggled. The shooting circles down both ends were incredibly tight as both defensive pairings wouldn't give their shooters an inch. But it was Tu Toa Captain and Goal Shoot who stepped up and created her own space under the hoop to help Tu Toa get ahead.

In the midcourt Mount Albert Grammar struggled to find their way through a well-constructed Tu Toa zone and threw away a few too many loose passes in the first half, but as the game went on their links became stronger and they battled their way back into the game by the end of the 2^nd quarter.

Tu Toa Wing Attack Ashleigh Tahiwi and Centre Renee Te Riini found their flow early on in the game and maintained a cohesive midcourt throughout the whole match, stepping up when it really counted toward the end of the match.

The Tu Toa shooters Brooke Leaver and Goal Attack Shaani Temata-Frost were on fine form, working together to get the ball as close to the post as possible. They were also strong in the rebounding department as they wanted to captitilise on every opportunity given to them by their defenders.

In defence Goal Defence Kayla Williams and Goal Keep Cheyene Walker were unstoppable, making life hard for 2010 NZ Secondary Schools captain Tera-Maria Amani, but the pressure placed upon the pass from Wing Defence Materoa Poi enabled the intercepts to happen.

Mount Albert Grammar had their only loss of the 2011 season and with an average age of 15 were courageous on court, pulling back a 9 goal lead. At half time MAGs introduced Ashi Ponini to Wing Defence, the move tightened up their defensive end and started to create more turnover ball. Young Holly Fowler at Goal Keep picked off more intercepts and was rewarded with a place in the 2011 NZSS tournament selection

Down the other end of the court Tera-Maria Amani kept calm and encouraged her team to work the ball in. Rebekah Roache who has been in great form all tournament found new space around the circle edge and  worked hard on defence to get her team back into the game.

The Mount Albert Grammar supporters did all they could to get their team across the line too as their chants were loud enough to equal those of a packed stadium but it was Tu Toa who got ahead at the end to win 31-30.

Tu Toa Coach Yvette McCausland Durie was elated with her team.

"It has been a massive tournament." She said.

"I have the amazing privilege to work with these girls who are such a talented young group and we couldn't be happier."

Mount Albert Co-Coach Te Aroha Keenan was proud of the fight that her team gave.

"I am so proud, any team would have buckled under the disappointment of not having some of our key players but I was so impressed with the new combinations." She said.

Mount Albert Grammar 31 v Auckland Girl's Grammar 26

Two netball power houses of late, Mount Albert Grammar and Auckland Girl's Grammar lived up to the talk this afternoon as both teams played with a high amount of skill and determination.

Having not dropped a game all tournament, Mount Albert Grammar were not about to lessen their chances of making the Grand Final. Controlled and precise in their passing, MAGGS were able to slowly progress their lead throughout the game until the final quarter where they let Auckland Girl's Grammar back into the game.

Through court Mount Albert Grammar worked as a cohesive team. Centre Rebekah Roache kept a steady head throughout and was paramount in keeping her team open for many options around the edge of the circle, always re-offering and making herself available.

Captain and Goal Attack Tera-Maria Amani had the tough task of being marked by fellow 2010 NZ Secondary Schools team member Phoenix Karaka, but she played the match of a true leader working with Goal Shoot Chiara Semple and shooting at 83% (31/40)

MAGS fielded their young defensive line-up of Jamie-Lee Price (GD) and Holly Fowler (GK) who stood strong against an experienced Auckland Girls Grammar shooting combination, pulling in some spectacular intercepts and going up for the high ball every-time, often with success.

Auckland Girls Grammar had a lively comeback in the last quarter as a change to their midcourt enabled more flow through court, however they weren't able to peg back the seven goal lead to more than four goals.

The defensive end for AGG's were working overtime as Phoenix Karaka and Goal Keep Rahnee Wakefield did all they possibly could to stop the momentum of the MAG'S shooters but at times struggled on attack to get the ball through court and convert at the other end.

The change of midcourt in the last quarter saw Hanalei Temese come into Centre and Hayley Smith move to Wing Attack. This new combination opened up the court down AGG's end which made it easier for them to see into their shooters. Shooting at 70% overall Auckland Girl's Grammar didn't sink enough shots to take the win in the end.

Mount Albert Grammar Coach Paula Smith was thrilled about how her team stuck to the game plan in a highly competitive match.

"They left nothing out there," Smith said, "they shot well, defended well and played as a team well so I am very pleased with the girls."

"This will be the fourth year in a row that Mount Albert Grammar have made the finals and with three senior players leaving next year we want to make it two in a row, so yes we are very excited."

Mount Albert Grammar will play in the final against Tu Toa tomorrow at 1.40pm

St Margarets 37 v Rangi Ruru 28

Accustomed to playing against one another on a regular basis, a new stage was set at the NZ Secondary Schools Netball Championships for the battle between Cantabrian schools St Margaret's and Rangi Ruru first thing this morning.

It was St Margaret's, urged ahead by their mascot Maggie Bear, who took the early lead and maintained control of the match despite a few inspired comebacks by Rangi Ruru.

St Margaret's shooting statistics set them up for a win as Goal Shoot Brittany O'Connell and Goal Attack Jessica Prosser were confident under the hoop - 37/45 (82%). Prosser was instrumental alongside Wing Attack Neena Woodgate in bringing the ball through court with speed, flair and control. Woodgate's ability to collect crafty intercepts in the mid-third ensured that St Margarets defence was strong all the way through court, stifling the Rangi Ruru players.  St Margaret's captain and Goal Defence Tiana Placid showed off her incredible elevation as she led her team with a fearless approach.

When their combinations clicked and their links were on song Rangi Ruru looked sharp, but unfortunately they let too many loose balls go and struggled to gain control on attack. Goal Shoot Alexandra Priest did her best to make herself available under the hoop but at times was missed by her midcourt who were closely marked by the St Margarets defenders. Goal Keep  Holly Brown stood out on Defence  for me team, sparking some flair into the Rangi Ruru side.

St Margaret's Coach Helen Bryant credited a full team effort for her sides win.

"They played really well as a unit and had a complete performance through court," Bryant said, "everyone stepped up."

Auckland Girls Grammar 34 v Epsom Girls Grammar 33 in Extra Time

Extra time for two very familiar Auckland Waitakere teams.

Like many of the tight games here at Pettigrew.Green Arena in Napier this was a low scoring affair as Auckland Girls Grammar and Epsom Girls Grammar fought tooth and nail to create turnover ball for their team.

This game however was special as both teams were never separated by more than 3 goals and went into extra time at 28 all. In the end it looked as though Epsom were going to take it but an intercept by Auckland Girls Grammar Wing Defence Dejealous Plata-Kopa sparked a three-goal flurry for her side who took the game by one 34-33 in the last minute.

For us spectators the game was enthralling to watch as players leapt through the air for intercepts and played with all the gusto and passion you would expect from two teams desperate to get into the final play-offs.

Auckland Girl's Grammar were urged by their vocal Coach and Assistant Coach Janelle Nee and NZ Men's Netball Representative Michelle Vaeau to stay focused on their own game and in the end that is what got them over the line.

Captain Kendra Falefitu was moved from Goal Shoot to Goal Attack in the 2^nd quarter and thrived in this position, driving hard into the circle and shooting with confidence at 80% - 28/35. Falefitu and Goal Shoot Alosina Nua were presented with direct and accurate passing from the midcourt duo of Wing Attack Hanalei Temese and Centre Hayley Smith

The whole defensive end for AGG's were on top form, sticking tight to their opposing players and restricting any movement. Goal Defence Phoenix Karaka ensured her presence was felt on court and caused havoc for the EGGS shooters in the rebounding department.

Epsom Girls Grammar, who placed two places below AGGS in their regional Secondary Schools competition played out of their skin for the entire match and there was no shortage of spectacular moments.

Leading by one or two goals for most of the match it was Bethan O'Brien at Goal Shoot who held strong and gave her team a good target under the hoop for the 4 quarters, shooting 16/20 at 80%. O'Brien was shut down by AGGS' close attention in the last quarter and replaced by Kaitlin Alexander, moving Angela Latu from Wing Attack to Goal Attack going into extra time.

In the midcourt Anna Morgan was influential down the attacking end as she kept her opposing player on her back and frequently ensured the space for a front drive. At Goal Defence, Lenae Tiaiti was remarkable with her elevation and her battle with Kendra Falefitu was gripping to watch.

Auckland Girl's Grammar Coach Janelle Nee was ecstatic with her team's ability to push through and take the win.

"We had a good start but Epsom were a strong opposition today, we really had to knuckle down and play some smart netball." Nee said.

"It was so intense out there in extra-time but I was so proud of the girls for the having faith and confidence in each other to do their roles and play hard- that's was got us the triumph in the end."

Mt Albert 48 v Columba 14

Playing in the last game of Round Robin before the teams changed into their playoff pools, 2010 NZSS winners Mt Albert Grammar were out to stamp their foot on the competition. Leading a determined Columba College from beginning to end Mount Albert Grammar looked slick on both attack and defence.

Defensively for Mount Albert Grammar all players on court could be credited for their high tally of intercepts and deflections but it was Wing Defence Ashleigh Iro and Centre Rebekah Roache who shut down Columba College from accessing the top of the shooting circle. This effort, combined with Year Nine Goal Keep Holly Fowler and Goal Defence Jamie-Lee Price snatching any ball that Columba tried to place in the pocket, restricted the Columba College midcourters as they struggled to penetrate the shooting circle. Down the other end of the court Mount Albert Goal Attack and Captain Tera-Maria Amani was on fire, looking long into her Goal Shoot Meretini Fuimoano and putting up a lot of goals herself – 21/24 (88%)

Despite the goal difference, Columba College never stopped trying new things on attack and defence to ebb the flow of ball and at times managed to disrupt the play of Mount Albert. Columba College Captain Sophie Napper, who played a strong game at Centre had a surprise move to Goal Keep in the last quarter but was able to pull off some spectacular intercepts. The shooting end for Columba College definitely struggled to shoot over the long limbs of the Mount Albert defence as they scored 14/28 at 50% and were restricted to one goal in the final quarter.

Mount Albert Grammar Coach Te Aroha Keenan was thrilled to get all her girls on court.

“It was such a good way to finish our round robin,” Keenan said.

“In this tournament you have to last the distance so that you are still on top in the end, so to have options on the bench and to get all three of our year nine’s out there was good for us moving forward.”