R¯ahui keep up pursuit for spot in the semifinals

Ra¯hui have kept their hopes of reaching the Manawatu¯ club semifinals alive with a 54-35 win over Massey A2.

Ra¯ hui dominated the game at the Arena, Palmerston North, on Tuesday night and are fifth, two points behind the top four. Ra¯ hui are likely to beat Palmerston North Girls’ High School in their final regular-season game this week, but need fourth-placed Manukura Red to lose and not get a bonus point in their last match against Feilding A1, who are second.

Ra¯ hui made a slow start against Massey A2, but once they found their rhythm it was a comfortable win. Ra¯hui led 14-9 after the first quarter and had the game well in hand by halftime, leading 30-15.

Massey couldn’t keep up, scoring just six goals in the second quarter and seven in the third.

Ra¯ hui were consistent with their scoring and Massey only scored in double figures in the fourth quarter, which they won 13-12.

Amiria Cooper shot 38 from 54 for Ra¯hui and Emmie Mulinder sunk 23 from 24 for Massey.

Massey A1 came out on top 53-46 against Feilding A1 in a clash between the top two ranked sides.

Competition leaders Massey bounced back from a rare loss last week and took control in the second quarter, leading 27-18 at halftime.

Feilding had the better of the third quarter and closed the gap to 38-34, but then Massey edged out the fourth stanza to close out the game.

Both teams had busy shooters. Emily Autagavaia shot 38 from 44 for Massey. Feilding’s Montel Aki almost had the same shooting stats, with 38 from 45.

Feilding are second, but the two Manukura teams could overtake or draw level with them depending on results in the final round.

Palmerston North Girls’ High School and Feilding A2 battled out a 46-all draw.

Girls’ High held a narrow lead after the first quarter, but then Feilding clawed their way into a 20-19 lead at halftime.

The two sides couldn’t be separated in the second half and the only difference was Girls’ High scoring one extra goal in the fourth quarter to level the scores.

Feilding’s Rebekah Alabaster was the busiest shooter in the game, draining 36 from 45, and Madeleine Williams shot 26 from 33 for Girls’ High.

Manukura Black moved into third spot with a 57-42 win over sister side Manukura Red.

Ra¯hui were consistent with their scoring and Massey only scored in double figures in the fourth quarter.

The game was played at Massey last Sunday because Manukura were in Auckland during the week to play against Auckland schools to prepare for the lower North Island secondary schools next month.

Both teams put in impressive defensive and shooting efforts. Black started strongly, but Red showed more fight in the second quarter. Black led 26-21 at halftime and then powered away in the second half. Shooting stats weren’t available.

Standings: Massey 37, Feilding A1 29, Manukura Black 28, Manukura Red 26, Ra¯ hui 24, Girls’ High 11, Feilding A2 10, Massey A2 4.

This week: Manukura Red v Feilding A1, 6pm; Ra¯hui v Girls’ High, 6pm; Manukura Black v Massey A1, 7.30pm; Massey A2 v Feilding A2, 7.30pm.