Indoor Open Grade Premier 2025: 22nd May Week 4

 By Judy Macdonald 

Niki Crombie at WA for FTNC Premier with Jess Jennings at WD for Align Health Rangers Premier

Thank you to our sponsors Lodge Real Estate

 

Indoor Open Grade Premier Results Week 4

• FTNC Premier 57 vs Align Health Rangers Premier 64
• Allied HOB Collins Premier 39 vs HGHSOG Premier 30
• Align Health Rangers Premier Reserves 61 vs HGHS Langman 47
• FTNC Premier Reserves 31 vs University of Waikato Premier 58
• St Paul’s Collegiate Premier 58 vs Melville Vetora Premier 22
• Northern United Sports Club Mamba 42 vs Waikato Diocesan for Girls Premier 32
• Turangawaewae Premier 35 vs University of Waikato Premier Reserves 38
• St Peter’s Premier 56 vs Marist Verdettes Premier 18

Premier A

What an epic game it was between Align Health Rangers Premier and FTNC Premier. This was a competitive game with players committing everything. Rangers Premier got an early lead ahead by four goals at end of first quarter and they extended this to lead by 33 goals to 27 at half time. The third quarter allowed them to further increase their lead to be ahead by nine goals, but FTNC Premier won the final quarter to reduce the gap. The final score was 64 goals to 57. For Rangers Premier it was a physical game where the momentum ebbed and flowed. With a few new players this year, it was great to see the improved connections and combinations on court. A full team defensive effort led by Lucy Sidwell at goal keep allowed the team to come up with some great ball. Arikinoa Shortland showed impressive volume and accuracy at goal shoot and worked seamlessly with all three partners at goal attack. For FTNC Premier it was a tough game and close most of the match, thanks to some excellent defensive work from Kyla-Rose Onehi-Karena at goal keep and Keisha Noble at goal defence and good shooting statistics from all shooters. The team lost their way a bit in the third quarter but pulled the points back in the final quarter until a suspension saw the team playing two minutes with a player down. Happy to get everyone out on the court and overall good performance.

Chloe Pennell at GS for FTNC Premier

Allied HOB Collins Premier and HGHSOG Premier also had a mainly competitive game, however the damage was done in the first half with Allied Premier leading by 25 goals to 14.  HGHSOG were able to pull this back a bit in the second half with the final score being 39 goals to 30. For Allied Premier Pania Monk at goal keep, Sammie Sullivan at wing defence, Melissa Carpenter-Monk and Mere Monk sharing the goal defence bib, used strong communication and teamwork to shut down the opposing attacks. Their quick reflexes and tight marking helped the team regain possession of the ball. Teagen Voykovich at centre and Tyler Downs at wing attack worked hard in the midcourt allowing shooters Kyra Collier at goal attack and Tiara Tane at goal shoot to get a good rhythm. For HGHSOG they had some nice phases of play but after a slow start they could not pull back the deficit.

Align Health Rangers Premier Reserve won their game against HGHS Langman but at times HGHS Langman came close including the game being drawn partway through the final quarter. They were just not able to maintain this and Rangers Premier Reserves came through strongly in the final minutes.  The half time score was 30 goals to 24 and the final score was 61 goals to 47. Overall, a fast paced and exciting game.

University of Waikato Premier put on a great performance to win against FTNC Premier Reserve. At half time they led by 31 goals to 15 and they won convincingly 58 goals to 31.

 

Andrea Hall Indoor Open Grade Premier Umpire

Premier B

The night game was between Turangawaewae Premier and University of Waikato Premier Reserves. This was quite the game with neither team giving an inch. Turangawaewae had a two goal lead at end of first quarter but at half time this had flipped, and University Premier Reserve had the lead ahead by 19 goals to 17.  They won the third quarter by a goal and the final quarter was a draw. At times the score was closer, especially in the second half. The fulltime score was 38 goals to 35. For University Premier Reserves it was a fight to the bitter end with nothing separating the two teams throughout the entire game. A very intense match from the first whistle. The team stood their ground and maintained a consistent skill set at high energy pace. With strong driving defence, the team was able to gain a high number of clean intercepts. The cohesive attacking work to the circle edge allowed the shooters to grow in confidence. Player of the match was Mariana Williams at wing attack who pushed herself whilst sticking to the game plan. For Turangawaewae this was their toughest match to date since being promoted and a bit more of a test for them. The team is in the early stages of building a solid foundation and becoming familiar with the teams in the premier competition.

Wilson Rarere at GS for Northern United Sports Club Mamba

Northern United Sports Club Mamba and Waikato Diocesan for Girls Premier also had a competitive game. Waikato Diocesan had a one goal lead at end of first quarter but at half time Mamba led by 24 goals to 18 having a strong second quarter. Waikato Diocesan then won the third quarter to come within three goals only to have a low scoring final quarter allowing Mamba to take the win by 42 goals to 32. For Mamba Sophie Andrews at wing defence did well in the last quarter to cover the second phase attack and it created a lot more opportunity for turnover down the defensive end. Krystal Ledger-Walker at centre did well to maintain a high effort the entire time she was on and had some nice passes into the shooting circle and picked up some good intercepts. It was great to get the win. For Waikato Diocesan they are in a rebuilding phase with six of the team being new. The focus is working on connections on court and the team had a great start to the game. The team then lost their way a bit which will be a work on. The shooters, Kate Slyfield, Olivia Wrathall, and Isla Finlay whose connections are beginning to show on court saw this game as one of the most consistent yet. Defence continued to work tirelessly turning over the ball with great confidence and effort by Amy Bryant at goal defence. Midcourt is new, and Alexandra Hull at wing attack continued to be consistent in her game on court, beginning to feed the shooters with confidence.

Holly Proudlock at GK for St Peter's Premier

St Paul’s Premier were too strong for Melville Vetora Premier ahead by twenty-six goals to 12 at half time and winning 58 goals to 22. 

St Peter’s Premier also were dominant in their game against Marist Verdettes Premier and they led from start to finish winning every quarter. The half time score was 30 goals to 8 and the fulltime score was 56 goals to 18.