Surprise win for SMOG over East

BY PENNY MILES

Wellington's predictable club hierarchy received a jolt after St Mary's Old Girls beat champions Wellington East on Saturday.

SMOG officials were diving for the record books to see when an equivalent win had tested the two-way dominance of PIC and Wellington East.

SMOG stalwart Charmaine Meredith said it was likely to be the club's sole premier win over East in more than a decade. "Over the past eight years when I played for SMOG we never beat East," she said. "It could be 10 or 15 years."

SMOG defender Rose Paino said the 55-54 win at Te Rauparaha Arena proved the young side were contenders for the RSL title. "It was pretty intense in the last minute when we had to break it, and we did, and held on to win by one.

"We all knew we could do it because we have been so close to PIC, and beat Naenae three weeks ago."

East were cruising at 52-47 when SMOG launched a composed comeback, led by defenders Brooke Cutting and Paino. SMOG shooter Rebecca Jury was accurate as East began to wilt.

A tip from goal keep Cutting proved crucial as SMOG scored and added another with their next centre pass.

East called a timeout at 54-54, but when play resumed, Jury scored the winning goal.

SMOG coach Marianne Delaney said an upswing in her team's confidence had closed the gap.

East beat SMOG 66-33 during their last meeting in May.

Delaney offered a surprise starting element with Kelly Griffin at goal attack. Griffin exuded confidence under the post as SMOG led 16-15 at the end of the first quarter.

SMOG trailed by one at halftime as Griffin moved to wing attack and lanky goal shoot Jaimee Sorenson came on.

East now sit in a three-way tie on top of the table with SMOG and PIC 1.

PIC 1 overpowered Naenae White 50-38. PIC coach Waimarama Taumaunu said her side used the first half to settle their attacking combination with new goal shoot Melania Louisi.

Naenae competed with accurate shooting and smooth movement from Ava Filipon. But PIC, led by athletic centre Daya Pritchard, moved the ball more confidently through the midcourt in the second half, while talented defenders Gene Solia and Rosie Mahoney grabbed rebounds and intercepts.

Kapi Mana beat Naenae 2, 55-42, and in division two Wellington Girls' beat Taita 63-37.

Wairarapa continued their winning streak with a huge win over Kapiti, 73-35.

Rimutaka upset PIC 2 54-22.

Two division one teams will face relegation on Sunday at Te Rauparaha.

PIC 2 and Wellington Girls' vie for promotion, while Wairarapa should move up if they beat Rimutaka.

- © Fairfax NZ News