Naumai and Arahi battle for top spot

BY MURRAY HILLS

It's a must-win game for two sides in Taranaki premier one netball tonight.

Naumai and Arahi will battle for a top-four spot at Stratford's TET Multi Sports Centre in a winner-take-all clash.

The winner will join New Plymouth Old Boys, Tysons and New Plymouth Girls' High School in the playoffs a week later.

Heading into tonight's round of play, Old Boys is on 27 points and Tysons on 24.

Girls' High has 11, but should pick up three more against Waitara side QT Raukura in New Plymouth. Raukura is out of the playoff race with seven points.

That leaves Naumai AWE on 10 points and Arahi on eight in a two-way scrap for the fourth spot.

Naumai coach Karen Brooks said her side had to be focussed on winning the match.

"It's a must-win for us. If we win, we're there," she said.

"We don't want to give them a chance.

"They beat us by one last time, it was pretty messy,"

"We just need to be strong, play our own game and focus on our play.

"Everyone is available and the girls really want to make the top four, that's our goal.

"Anything else will be a bonus."

Brooks said talented young shooter Stephanie Rolfe had been in good form and was shooting well.

"And having Chrissy (Longstaff) and Tamara (Brooks) at the defensive end is a big plus,"Brooks said.

"Courtney McDonald played at wing defence last week and took her opportunity."

Arahi coach Anna Davies echoed Brooks' comments.

"We have to win and win by five or more to deny them a bonus point," she said.

"It will be a tough battle. The last time, we won by one. It wasn't pretty but we won."

Davies said she team had been performing well without really clicking.

"We played well against Tysons last week even though we lost," she said.

"You can never under-estimate Naumai, but if we play well, we'll give them a good go.

"The girls are keen to play well."

Davies said her defence, led by Sharlee Mariekura, would need to work hard to shut down Rolfe.

"When she (Rolfe) is on, she doesn't miss."

Nova Robinson has also been in good form for Arahi in the midcourt controlling play well, while shooters Piki Sinclair and Hannah Fleming had been on target in recent games.

Competition heavyweights Old Boys and Tysons meet in New Plymouth.

Olds Boys is unbeaten this season and had the edge the last time the two sides met.

Neither side will be keen to give too much away tonight with the pair set to clash a week later.

In premier two, Inglewood should beat Stratford at Stratford.

In other games, Sacred Heart Girls' College should have few problems against NPOB Bounce, while the closest game of the night could be between Waitara High School and WC Raukura.

Premier two points: Inglewood 27, Sacred Heart 20, Waitara HS 12, NPOB Bounce 10, WC Raukura 9, Stratford 8.

- © Fairfax NZ News