All four have possibilities

COURT ACTION: Whangara Old Girls centre Ruby Westrupp leaps to catch the ball as High School Old Girls players Ana Naden (left) and Lisa Basford stay close. Tomorrow Whangara play Waikohu and HSOG play YMP in the competition semifinals. Picture by Paul Rickard

The top four teams in the netball premiership go head to head tomorrow at Victoria Domain to decide who goes through to the grand final, and all four can do it.

Ongoing Level 2 gathering restrictions mean no spectators again tomorrow, except for officials attached to the teams.

On results to date, Whangara Old Girls would seem to have the easier run into the final, but their opponents, Claydens Waikohu (1), have been on the improve at the right end of the season.

“It's been two wins to Whangara this season against Waikohu, but they were very close wins,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“Whangara won the first 36-31, but the second they won by just one goal, 36-35.

“Both teams have shown improvement in this round, with players consolidating their connections on court and displaying some good netball skills.

“Now add the pressure of finals netball.

“This will be a competitive game with some good match-ups through the court.”

The game starts at 11am.

YMP Sunshine Brewery and Taste One High School Old Girls will do battle at 1pm to decide the other finalists, and that match looks too close to call.

“They've had a win apiece against each other this season and now add the bonus of making the premier final.,” Beale said.

“This will be a highly competitive contest between two teams of experienced players who know each other's play well,” Beale said.

“I am looking forward to the strong match-ups through the court. Both teams like to play speedy, controlled netball and have good connections on attack and defence.”

The winners progress to next week's final and the losers play off for third against the losers of the Whangara-Waikohu game.

The matches to decide the other three premier-grade finishing positions for the season offer a great deal, too.

At 10am, Ritana Senior A take on Horouta Gold.

“It was a competitive game the last time these teams met, with the margin never bigger than eight goals.

“The Lytton team led all the way, by working together and adjusting to the changes that Horouta made.

“Tomorrow I expect another close game, especially when you add the prospect of the losing team finishing their season bottom of the grade. Both teams will want to avoid that position.”

The winners back up at 12 midday against Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A.

“Girls' High have had close scorelines with Ritana Snr A and Horouta Gold, so that game will be just as competitive,” Beale said.

“Whoever they play tomorrow, Girls' High will be determined to bring their top game. The winners will finish their season in fifth position.”

All four premier grades are poised to be hard-fought.

Again, because of the Covid Level 2 requirements, the primary and senior grades play at Victoria Domain and the intermediate and secondary grades play at Girls' High.

In the senior grades, it's semifinals and finals, with the bottom four teams completing their season tomorrow and the top four finishing the following Saturday.

The First Reserve and Second Grade continue with round-robin games and complete their season on Saturday next week.