NORTHERN Stars netballer Mila Reuelu-Buchanan looks to stop Ameliaranne Ekenasio during a warm up clash at the new sporting complex in Te Kūiti. PHOTOS: BRYDEN LINDSAY
It was up to the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic to christen the court at the newly opened Gallagher Recreation Centre on Saturday, and they did so in fine style, putting in a strong performance against the Northern Stars.
The match, which Stars won 54-47, was the first official game on the new courts and attracted a strong walk-in crowd.
Often pre-season matches lack intensity and are about testing combinations, however this one was anything but.
Both teams have Silver Ferns who have recently returned to their ranks and rather than leave them on the bench, they opted to throw them out on the court.
The visiting Northern Stars gave midcourt dynamo Gina Crampton three quarters on court, while the home side had their skipper, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, play a whole match. Claire Kersten and Bailey Mes also featured for at least half a game.
Maia Wilson was in attendance for the visitors but didn’t play, watching as several other experienced ANZ Premiership stars battled it out on court.
“It’s been fantastic to come down here and play. It’s a fantastic place to play netball and we’re super stoked to have been able to bring the game to somewhere like Te Kūiti,” Wilson said.
She heaped praise on both teams for their performance.
“It was a good game of netball and both teams will be better off for the hit-out. We are pleased to have won and a couple of our younger players really stood up today.”
It was a tight tussle early as the opposing shooters traded goals with Ekenasio and Amorangi Malesala on song early.
It was 7-all in the opening quarter before the Stars managed to sneak ahead with some good play and lead 13-11 at the end of the opening quarter.
The second quarter went goal-for-goal, before the Stars upped the intensity and capitalised on some loose passes from the Magic as they netted a whopping 16 goals to lead 29-22 at halftime.
In the third quarter, they solidified their lead with some strong netball, before increasing it beyond 10 in the final quarter.
Some sharp shooting from Ekenasio and Ivana Rowland saw the deficit reduced to seven, however, it wasn’t enough as they suffered defeat.
Crampton, Elle Temu, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and Malesala were standouts for the visitors, while Georgia Takarangi, Ekenasio and Charlotte Elley all had strong games in the black and orange.
“It was fantastic to come down here as a team and play in Te Kūiti at this awesome complex. The fans certainly turned up and we have enjoyed ourselves.
“We have a lot to go back and look at, but it’s early in the season and we’re excited with how things have started.”
Te Kūiti got behind the match which is expected to be the first of many national sporting events to come to town.
