Titikaveka still unbeaten, first win for Avatiu

Monday 27: There were close premier netball games seen at the weekend with the Avatiu side winning their first game of the season by beating second-placed Tupapa 43-39.

With 15-year-old Lillian Maui at centre, and Edith Nicholas and Mariana Ngaputa working hard in defence, the Avatiu side led right from the start and thoroughly deserved their first win. Watch out come knockout time next week!

Meanwhile at the Tupapa courts the Titikaveka premier grade were just too slick for their old rivals Takuvaine.

Titikaveka stormed home to an easy 68-46 win despite having no reserve players.

The strong Titikaveka premier team included experienced Selina Napa and school student Esther Matapo in the shooting circle.

Matapo is an exceptional shooter with the ability to pot goals from anywhere in the shooting circle and with more game time she is a player to keep an eye on.

In the micourt, Patricia Taea, Ngere Puia and Danielle Trego worked hard to feed their shooters while tough Luciana Matenga and Micheyla Matapo pulled off impressive intercepts in the Takuvaine shooting circle.

Takuvaine on the other hand tried a number of combinations as a number of their key players were out with dengue fever.

Tokoa John, who resumed shooting duties at the weekend after a short absence overseas, brought some hope for the club but Titikaveka were just too superior in their fitness, attack, defence and fitness.

Titikaveka got their game off to a great start to win the first quarter 17-7. But Takuvaine did really well in the second quarter by out shooting Titikaveka by just one goal but they still trailed 31-21.

Titikaveka really showed their power and skill in the last two quarters going from strength to strength as Takuvaine continued to experiment with their combinations.Despite losing 68-46, Takuvaine displayed some of their past form with coach/player Sebon Nicholas still showing that she has what it takes to be a defender.

In other game, the Ngatangiia/Matavera premier side dealt a huge drubbing to Arorangi winning 52-27. - MW

Weekend netball results:

Avatiu vs Tupapa (Avatiu scores first): premier 43-39, reserve 33-38, open 1 grade 39-12, open 2 grade 26-27, under 19 grade 32-30, under 16 grade 7-17, under 14 grade 12-14, under 12 grade 12-5, under 10 grade 9-0.

Arorangi vs Ngatangiia/Matavera (Arorangi scores first): premier 27-52, reserve 48-25, open 1 grade 25-25, open 2 grade 28-23, under 19 grade 19-16, under 16 grade 7-12, under 14 grade 16-7, under 12 grade 34-2, under 10 grade 7-2.

Takuvaine vs Titikaveka (Takuvaine scores first): premier 46-68, reserve won by Titikaveka, open 1 grade 11-26, open 2 grade 18-17, under 19 grade 23-24, under 16 grade 4-24, under 14 grade 8-12, under 12 grade 1-11, under 10 grade 1-5.