Indoor Open Grade Premier 2026: 7th May Week 3
By Judy Macdonald
Premier
Week 3
FTNC Premier Reserve 45 vs University of Waikato Premier
Reserve 51
HGHS
Langman 45 vs Lodge Rangers Premier 61
Lodge Rangers Premier 30 vs University of Waikato Premier
51
Allied
HOB Premier 34 vs FTNC Premier 53
Te Awamutu Senior Premier 34 vs St Peter’s Premier 49
Waikato Diocesan for Girls Premier 23 vs HGHS Old Girls
Premier 30
Ngā Taiātea Wharekura Premier 17 vs Turangawaewae Premier
63
Northern United Sports Club Mamba 42 vs St Paul’s
Collegiate Premier 30
Premier
A
The
closest game was between FTNC Premier Reserve and University of Waikato Premier
Reserve. At end of first quarter University Premier Reserve led 15 goals to 11
and at half time they were ahead 30 goals to 19 with a big second quarter. FTNC
Premier Reserve won the third quarter to reduce the gap to eight goals and they
also won the final quarter but it was not enough. The final score was 51 goals
to 45. For University Premier Reserve the defensive end was very strong
with great communication and effective switches and the through court attack
was accurate and fast. This was finished by the shooters who presented strongly
with good accuracy. For FTNC Premier Reserve it was a game of two halves.
After letting the first half get away the team fought hard to win the second
half. Jorja Stewart came on at goal shoot and with Simone Brandt at goal
attack they found their connection. Stewart’s ability to take the ball strongly
worked well. Jorja Metcalfe at centre with Maria Clune-Zammit at wing
defence provided a strong midcourt combination to support Emma Ruske at goal
keep. While disappointed with the result, there are some positives especially an
ability to “turn around and go again” and to fight back.
HGHS
Langman and Lodge Rangers Premier had a fast paced and competitive game. At end
of first quarter there was only one goal in it with the score being 15 goals to
14. By half time Rangers Premier had increased their lead to be ahead by 34
goals to 24. They further increased their lead in the third quarter with the
score being 48 goals to 33 but the final quarter was close. The fulltime score
was 61 goals to 45. Rangers Premier started with some nice flow and
connections on attack but took a while to make inroads defensively in a tight
first quarter. The hard work started to pay off and the team managed to pull
away in the second quarter but had to fight for it to the end. Karlie Alexander
and Steph Edwardson in mid court fed the circle well and worked tirelessly on
defence.
HGHS Langman stepped up to the challenge showing
promising signs against experienced opposition. Calais Topia-Chelsey had great
persistence in the defensive end at goal keep, well supported by Jamie Fell at
goal defence who produced some outstanding one-on-one defensive
play. Stevie Brown-Wahanui was strong through the midcourt, providing
great drive and linking play. The attacking end saw strong shooting
performances led by Mia Christensen and Matilda Lakokiperitania.
The match provided valuable high-level experience for the young HGHS team, with
several developing players given the opportunity to test themselves.
Allied
HOB Premier and FTNC Premier had a good game with the first half of the game
very close with FTNC Premier leading by 22 goals to 18. The damage was done in
the second half with the final score being 53 goals to 34 with FTNC Premier the
clear winners.
University
of Waikato Premier were too good for Lodge Rangers Premier Reserve and at half
time they lead by 27 goals to 18 and they won the game 51 goals to 30.
Premier
B
The
closest game was between Waikato Diocesan for Girls Premier and HGHS Old Girls
Premier. HGHS OG’s led by 8 goals to 4 at end of first quarter and they led by
16 goals to 8 at half time. Waikato Diocesan had a better third quarter with
the score being 22 goals to 17. The final quarter was close with HGHS OG’s
taking the win 30 goals to 23. HGHS OG’s were able to maintain the lead
throughout the game despite a strong fightback from the opposition in the later
stages. Under pressure, the team showed composure and resilience to steady the
game and close out the match.
Defensively, Kaiarahi Forbes at goal keep was
outstanding, consistently coming up with crucial tips and rebounds, while
Tamzyn McNamara at centre was a force to be reckoned with through the midcourt
on both attack and defence. It was an impressive all-round team performance
from HGHS OG’s, with every player contributing strongly across the court. For
Waikato Diocesan their slow start was no answer to the opposition’s strong
start. The team settled and came back stronger in the second half to close the
gap but not enough to take the win.
Northern
United Sports Club Mamba had a competitive game against St Paul’s Collegiate
Premier. At end of first quarter Mamba led by 10 goals to 7. The second quarter
was a draw with the score being 18 goals to 15. Mamba then had a massive third
quarter to lead by 35 goals to 20. St Paul’s did win the final quarter but the
damage had been done. The final score was 42 goals to 30. St Paul’s were
competitive for three quarters of the game staying well in the contest through
accurate passages of play and determined effort. A difficult third quarter saw the
opposition apply strong defensive pressure, resulting in the team making some execution
errors and the score extended out heading into the final break. Pleasingly, the
team regrouped well in the final quarter and continued to compete strongly
until the end. Standout player was Zoe Tebbutt at goal keep whose consistency
with defensive pressure and ability to create turnovers was a highlight.
St
Peter’s Premier were too strong for Te Awamutu Senior Premier with the score
being 24 goals to 18 in the first half and the final score being 49 goals to
34.
Turangawaewae Premier dominated in their game against Ngā
Taiātea Wharekura Premier. At half time they led by 38 goals to 7 and the
fulltime score was 63 goals to 17.
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