YMP's Keasi Williams-Fonohema (right) and "partner in crime" Bronya McMenamin did their best to shut down the Waikohu attackers in Premier Grade netball on Wednesday, but their opponents prevailed by two goals. Photo / Paul Rickard
YMP's Keasi Williams-Fonohema (right) and "partner in crime" Bronya McMenamin did their best to shut down the Waikohu attackers in Premier Grade netball on Wednesday, but their opponents prevailed by two goals. Photo / Paul Rickard
Waikohu edged YMP in Premier Grade netball in the YMCA on Wednesday but had to scrap hard in a game that virtually went goal for goal.
The defending champion Claydens Waikohu team won 55-53, with the quarter scores showing how even a contest it was – 15-14 to Waikohu atquarter-time, 30-27 at halftime and 41-all at the third-quarter break.
Both teams worked the ball through the court impressively. There were times when one team pulled two or three goals ahead, only for their opponents to pull it back.
Turanga FM YMP’s experienced shooter Paku-Jane Skudder displayed her ability to hold her partner high up in the goal circle, enabling her feeders to deliver the high lob in to her, which she finished off.
At the other end, Waikohu’s shooters in the course of the game – Valerie Houkamau, Princess Tomoana and Shari Puna – had to move in and out of the goal circle to counter tight marking by Keasi Williams-Fonohema and Bronya McMenamin.
The students led through all breaks – 12-10, 25-19 and 35-29.
They started confidently and forged a six-goal lead in the first quarter until Whāngārā settled, reduced their unforced errors and ended the period with a rush of four unanswered goals.
The second quarter continued in a similar fashion, although this time it was the students who finished the 15 minutes with a run of goals to take a six-goal lead into halftime.
The third quarter was an even quarter, but Girls’ High were able to advance their lead to nine.
While the students were in front throughout, there was some excellent contesting of the ball.
Whāngārā Old Girls centre Tania Adamson had a strong game against Gisborne Girls' High Senior A, but the students ran out 49-40 victors. Photo / Paul Rickard
Whāngārā centre Tania Adamson had a strong game, collecting many tips and intercepts and delivering some great passes into her shooters.
Girls’ High goal-keep Rhiley Wirihana-Vosaki went out hunting the ball and secured several intercepts.
At the other end for Girls’ High, sisters Lish and Neveah Smith showed their understanding and moved the ball around the circle well, with Neveah completing that movement with great shooting.
Premier Grade netball features one game in the YMCA on Saturday – Whāngārā Old Girls versus Taste One High School Old Girls at 10am.
HSOG, back in the Premier fold this year, have been playing well and sit third on the table.
Their last outing – a 56-36 win over Girls’ High – was a good display of their connections and ability to open up the court with speedy long passes.
Whāngārā sit further down the table but their last game - a 56-50 defeat of Old Girls Whāngārā - was similar to HSOG’s, where they used their links and delivered the ball speedily through the court to their shooters.
If they play like that, Saturday’s game could be a close contest.
Other senior grades and secondary and intermediate games are at the Girls’ High courts from 8.45am.
