College Old Girls avoid the drop
College Old Girls A1 have hung on to their place in the premier grade after winning the mid-season promotionrelegation match.
College beat Massey A2 at Massey University on Thursday night, meaning Massey A2, who finished as the top side in the premier reserve competition after the first round, won’t be promoted.
The bottom premier team and top premier reserve team play off for a spot in the top flight after the first round.
College A1 were destined for the promotion-relegation game after losing 54-41 to Feilding A1 at the Arena on Tuesday night and finishing the first round in last place. Feilding A1 were just ahead of them in fifth.
Manukura Black proved they are the top team in their club with a 62-29 win over sister side Manukura Red. Black finished the first round in third and Red fourth.
The game between the top two sides, Massey A1 and Rāhui 1, was played as a curtain-raiser to the Central Pulse’s premiership game against the Northern Stars at Fly Palmy Arena on Sunday.
Massey won 56-50 to take top spot after the first round.
In the premier reserve grade on Tuesday, Massey A2 finished the round unbeaten after a 52-44 win over Feilding Reserves, Massey Old Girls beat College Old Girls A2 67-36, and Feilding A2 won 59-26 against Rāhui 2.
■ The Central Manawa team is in the final of the national netball league this weekend, againstMainland in Auckland today. The league is a feeder competition for the national premiership.
Former Manukura students Atareta McCausland-Durie and Parris Mason as well as Manukura teacher Renee Matoe are in the team, and Manawatū’s John Atkins is on the coaching staff.