• Otane netballers reamain unbeaten with dramatic victory

Otane netballers reamain unbeaten with dramatic victory

Otane Force goal keep Valentine Kahukura produced a player-of-the-match performance 
as her team staged a dramatic comeback to maintain their unbeaten run in Hawe's Bay's Super 8 netball competition tonight.

The 19-year-old EIT Sport and Exercise course student forced numerous turnovers in Thirsty Whale Otane Force's 49-48 victory over Tremains All In Elusive in Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena. Several of them were crucial as Otane recovered from two eight-goal deficit situations in the third quarter and two seven-goal deficit situations in the final quarter.

Kahukura was reluctant to accept too much kudos and was more concerned about the pressure the Otane players put themselves under.

"The win was a team effort but we did make it hard for ourselves with that slow start. I think there were a bit of nerves there as All In had two ANZ players," Kahukura said referring to the Northern Mystics pair of Asher Grapes and Emily Burgess who were again prominent for All In at centre and goal defence respectively.

Kahukura proved she will be a valuable asset for the Hawke's Bay open women's rep team when their campaign begins next month. Her team trailed 26-21 at halftime and 39-32 after the third quarter.

Magic goal shoot Kelsey McPhee performed well particularly in the final quarter when combining with versatile 43-year-old goal attack Tammy Kupa for Otane. Kupa's twin sister and Otane head coach Annemarie Kupa agreed her troops let themselves down with soft passing and feeds until the final quarter.

"We should not have won that game because we didn't capitalise on all the turnovers we won. But I'm glad we did as that's our final berth guaranteed," coach Kupa said.

McPhee finished with a 91 per cent success rate with 40 successes from 44 attempts. All In goal shoot Pania Rowe sunk 41 of her 44 attempts for a 93 per cent success rate.

The other 6pm game saw Optimise Physio Outkast Sports beat Hastings Girls' High School 55-32. Outkast goal shoot Madison King sunk 40 of her 49 attempts for an 82 per cent success rate.

Defending champions Napier Girls' High School secured their berth in the September 11 final with Otane courtesy of a 50-39 win over Vet Services Central Sports. NGHS goal shoot Caitlin Smith had an 84 per cent success rate with 31 successes from 37 attempts while Central goal attack Kirby Beach sunk 19 of her 22 attempts for an 86 per cent success rate.

The other7.50pm clash saw BM Accounting HHSOG Huia beat House of Travel Havelock North Kauri 81-21. Huia goal shoot Bianca van Dyk slotted 50 of her 63 attempts for a 79 per cent success rate.