Tough lessons for KBJ netballers
Hori Waaka is awaiting a strong start and a complete game from his team.
The KBJ 1 netball coach cut a frustrated figure when his side went down 63-46 to a slick Wellington East Girls’ College outfit last Thursday night in the regional Super League division 2 competition.
The first quarter was the killer. The KBJ women were slow out of the blocks and soon trailed by 10.
The rest of the match was even, but the damage had been done, Waaka said.
‘‘ We didn’t adapt quickly enough and could not get those 10 goals back. You have to credit them though, they didn’t stop fighting and they have a lot of pride in themselves and this club.’’
A mix of veterans and young talent coming through at KBJ is being tested by a rigorous schedule. There is training, Super League on Thursday and Kapi Mana premier 1 on Saturdays.
‘‘A lot of these guys have work, school and families, so it is a big ask, but they’re up for it,’’ Waaka said. ‘‘ They love playing together and representing Porirua at that regional level.’’
KBJ have a 2-loss, 1-win record in Super League, but Waaka is confident they can turn things around as they chase promotion to division 1.
‘‘It comes down to consistency and the girls believing they can do it. I know they can – Super League is a big jump from Kapi Mana, but they have the commit- ment and ability,’’ Waaka said.
On Saturday, KBJ showed their class in the Kapi Mana league, dispatching Aotea College’s top side 67-17 in the new premier 1 championship round. In other results, Norths 1 beat Norths 2 55-33, Tawa Red beat Kahurangi by default and Te Tai Timu overcame Rockz 1 58-41.
In Jubilee Cup rugby on Saturday, Tawa arrested a recent slide by beating Petone 19-12 at Petone Rec.
Tawa, the defending Jubilee Cup champions, used their bigger forwards to great effect, with brothers Taniela and Joketani Koroi, lock Pati Gaualofa and No 8 T J Fermanis having big games.
In the Hardham Cup, there was heartbreak at Ngatitoa Domain as Johnsonville downed ParemataPlimmerton at the death. The home side led 14-0 at the break, and 19-15 late on, before a rare error cost them dear and Johnsonville scored in the corner.
Ryan McLean was again a standout for ParemataPlimmerton, with two tries.
Northern United, meanwhile, are beginning to assert their dominance in the grade. They showed their class with a comprehensive 60-0 win over the Marist St Pat’s second team. Eight players scored Norths’ 10 tries and the win places them third in the Hardham Cup table.
In the women’s competition Vaine Marsters scored eight tries in Norths’ 107-0 romp over Tawa.
In Friday night premier rugby league action under lights at Porirua Park, both Porirua sides lost. Porirua Vikings were soundly beaten 44-22 by Te Aroha and have dropped to fifth in the table.
In the curtain raiser, University beat St George Dragons 44-16.
Western Suburbs lost further ground to the leaders in football’s Central League after they drew 2-2 with Lower Hutt at Endeavour Park on Saturday.
Elliot Collier and Mohammed Awad were on the scoresheet for Wests, who are sixth in the table.
Tawa, meanwhile, were thumped 5-1 by Petone.