Aussie netball shooter shines for NGHS
Check out Napier Girls' High School netballer Jessica Taylor's short and slight frame.
"She's got to be a midcourter," remarked one newcomer to the packed balcony at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena before her side took on Tremains All In Elusive in tonight's feature round three round robin clash in the Hawke's Bay Super 8 Club competition.
"Can she even play,?" asked another new spectator.
The gutsy red head can play and is comfortable and composed with either the goal shoot or goal attack bib on. Taylor sunk 29 of her 31 attempts for a 94 per cent success rate as NGHS recorded a surprisingly easy 60-46 victory against the previously unbeaten, in the round robin segment, All In side.
"We played well as a team. We were all pretty keen to redeem ourselves after last week's draw [42-all with HHSOG Huia]. We did that with our 41-20 win against Havelock North High School in in the Super 12 comp on Tuesday night and we built on that tonight," Taylor explained.
"We retained possession better tonight and moved their defenders around well in our attacking circle," Year 13 student Taylor said.
"I'm confident if we continue to play like we did tonight and keep improving we can win the Super 8 title. We'll have it in the bag."
An Aussie, Taylor, is in her first year at NGHS and has always played in the attacking circle. She has played in New South Wales top club competition and intends to continue playing when she attends Wellington's Victoria University next year.
All In and NGHS were locked at 12-all after tonight's first quarter. NGHS led 27-23 at halftime after trailing by four midway through the second quarter and going into the final quarter NGHS led 42-35 at halftime.
Defender Poppi Tucker-Low and midcourter Myer Pakoti were among All In's best players. All In goal shoot Pania Rowe had an 88 per cent success rate after sinking 40 of her 45 attempts.
Tonight's other early game saw BM Accounting HHSOG Huia beat Hastings Girls' High School 49-36. Huia led 16-11 after the first quarter, 28-17 at halftime and 40-23 going into the final quarter.
Experienced Huia goal attack Alice Horne was again consistent sinking 10 of her 13 attempts for a 77 per cent success rate. Substitute goal attack for HGHS, Semisi Luatolu, sunk 11 of her 15 attempts for a 73 per cent success rate.
Tonight's late games saw Thirsty Whale Otane Force maintain their unbeaten run with a 55-37 victory over Optimise Physio Outkast Sports and Vet Services Central Sports beat House of Travel Havelock North Kauri 57-47.
Outkast goal shoot Ema Harris-Rowlands did well to sink 17 of her 20 attempts for an 85 per cent success rate. Her team trailed 11-6 after the first quarter, 32-15 at halftime and 45-24 after the third quarter.
Millie Ironside was again the best of the Otane shooters with a 79 per cent success rate after slotting 23 of her 29 attempts.
Central goal attack Kirby Beach slotted 31 of her 34 attempts for a 91 per cent success rate. Kauri goal shoot Suzin Benge slotted 27 of her 34 attempts for a 79 per cent success rate.
