New-look Feilding in with a win

Feilding A1 hit the ground running with a new roster and a new coach, starting the premier club netball competition with a 41-36 win over Manukura Red.

Feilding hung on at the end to win the topsy-turvy battle at the Arena on Tuesday night.

The A1 side have a new coach this season, with Louise Hurley stepping up, and a host of new players after most of last year’s team moved on.

Feilding won by five goals, but Manukura made a late charge after they had been down by 12 with a quarter to go.

Hurley said they played a good steady game, but got a bit frazzled at the end against a Manukura team who just didn’t stop. ‘‘I think the girls maybe ran out of a bit of steam.’’

She was pleased with the performance, though, after they turned the tables to lead 20-17 at halftime.

Feilding’s short passing and shooters getting into space at the top of the circle worked well.

Shooters Abby Daniel and Chantelle Smith didn’t have the best night, both shooting about 68 per cent, but they did enough to keep the team in front of Manukura.

Defenders Sam Higgins and Grace Keyes-kumeroa were Feilding’s standout players.

In a rare occurrence, both Manukura sides had losses on the night, as last year’s champions Manukura Black were comfortably beaten 67-35 by College Old Girls. Massey A1 had a big win too,

beating Ra¯hui 71-57.

In the premier reserve grade, Feilding A2 beat Ra¯hui A2 57-37, Massey A2 beat College Old Girls A2 68-36 and Feilding Reserves beat Massey Old Girls 70-41.

Next week

Premier: Manukura Black v Feilding A1, 7.40pm; COG A1 v Ra¯hui, 7.40pm; Manukura Red v Massey A1, 7.40pm. Premier reserve: Massey A2 v Massey OG, 6pm; COG A2 v Feilding A2, 6pm; Feilding Reserves v Ra¯hui A2, 6pm.