Up the Waka - Howick College triumph at NZSS netball nationals

Photo credit: Netball NZ.

Howick College 33 (Leehava Saverio 20/24, Lasalle Lefale 13/13) beat Saint Kentigern College 25 (Hannah Ward 7/9, Ashleigh Garner 18/24).  Quarter scores:  6-8, 15-16, 23-21, 33-25.

Howick College have completed an outstanding NZSS Netball Tournament by claiming their maiden title, beating defending champions and Auckland rivals Saint Kentigern College in the final at Rotorua this afternoon.

After beating St Kent’s by three goals in their first match of the tournament on Tuesday, Howick came from behind in the grand final with Saint Kentigern gaining the early break.

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Goal attack Ashleigh Garner led from the front for Saint Kentigern – sinking eight from eight in the opening spell – as her side held an 8-6 advantage at the first break. But momentum swung after the whistles for the second quarter with Howick netting five unanswered goals, their resurgence spurred on by goal keeper Nanise Waqaira who snaffled two intercepts in the spell.
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Shooter Leehava Saverio also came into the game netting eight from nine in the quarter as Howick closed the gap to one goal by half-time.

The arm-wrestle continued into the third quarter with Saint Kentigern netting two quick goals before Howick started to assert their dominance and it was the latter which went into the fourth spell with a two-goal advantage.

Saint Kentigern coach Nicola Lewis made a change in the shooting circle for the fourth quarter with Garner swapping bibs with goal shooter Hannah Ward.

The switch made little difference as it was Howick which started the deciding spell the strongest with three straight goals giving it a sniff of victory.

The back three of Waqaira, goal defence Shalom Setu-Veve and wing Iva Livani combined well with the trio picking up five intercepts and nine deflections between them as they stifled Saint Kentigern’s flow up front.
Howick’s ability to share the shooting load again proved a strength to their game as they won the last quarter 10-4 to snare the spoils.

Manawatu school Manukura ensured it wasn’t to be an Auckland one-two-three finish by beating Epsom Girls’ Grammar School 37-30 in the playoff for third and fourth. Manukura won the game with a strong second quarter, winning that 15-6 and leading 23-15 at halftime.

Centre Braxton Te Rini was a stand-out in the middle for Manukura picking up five intercepts and feeding her shooters well. Manukura were also bookended by strong showings from goal keeper Antonia Heihei who snaffled five intercepts and six deflections while shooter Rochelle Fourie netted 30 goals for her side and picked up five valuable rebounds.

Howick won the NZSS Nationals this year after qualifying fifth out of six teams in the recent UNISS tournament. Of note, they beat St Kent's 29-28 there too, so have won three on the trot against them.

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Finals Day results:
Final: Howick College 33 – Saint Kentigern College 25
3rd v 4th: Manukura 37 – Epsom Girls’ Grammar School 30
5th v 6th: Waikato Diocesan School for Girls 31 – Mount Albert Grammar School 27
7th v 8th: St Mary’s College 29 – St Hilda’s Collegiate.
9th v 10th: St Paul’s Collegiate 32 – Sacred Heart College 22
11th v 12th: St Margaret’s 42 – Ashburton College 17
13th v 14th:  Palmerston North Girls' High School 37 – Queen Margaret College 27
15th v 16th: St Andrew's College 33 – Christchirch Girls’ High School 30
 
Howick College road to the title
Beat Saint Kentigern College 30-27
Beat Palmerston North Girls' High School 35-20
Beat Christchurch Girls' High School 43-17
Beat Waikato Diocesan School for Girls 30-26
Beat St Hilda’s Collegiate 40-21
Beat Epsom Girls’ Grammar School 33-29
Beat Saint Kentigern College 33-25
 
Howick College squad list
Dajian Brown Myia Hetaraka Susana Jones Lasalle Lefale Iva Livani Sal Pamatatau Tori Parker Leehava Saverio Shalom Setu-Veve Teuila Sotutu Su-Elyse Ulugia Nanise Waqaira Captains: Lasalle Lefale & Iva Livani Coach: Adelita Sotutu Assistant Coach: Jasmyn Pamatatau Manager: Chris Dyke Primary Care: Leah Belle Statistician: Jen-Rose Reu
 
NZSS Netball last 10 winners
2017: Howick College
2016: Saint Kentigern College
2015 Mt Albert Grammar School
 2014 Mt Albert Grammar School
 2013 Mt Albert Grammar School
 2012 Mt Albert Grammar School
 2011 Tu Toa
 2010 Mt Albert Grammar School
 2009 Tu Toa
 2008 Villa Maria College
 
Most winners
5: Mount Albert Grammar School
4: Auckland Girls’ Grammar School
2: Bay of Islands College, Avondale College, Verdon College, Massey High School, Tu Toa,
1. Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, Wellington Girls’ College, Hillcrest High School, Villa Maria College, Howick College