It was a passionate contest that had supporters roaring as their team either scored or forced turnover ball.
In the closing 30 seconds both sides had chances to win.
Waikohu missed a shot at one end and YMP raced down the other end off the turnover, but they missed their shot as well and it was all over.
The final whistle was followed by hugs all round among the players to mark a fantastic, thrilling game that enthralled everyone there.
“It was a bloody amazing game,” exhausted Waikohu skipper Missy Ruru said as she sat on the floor afterwards.
“The girls came out firing. We tried some random combinations and they paid off.
“I’m proud of the girls. They fought hard for every ball.”
Toni Rutene was Waikohu’s goal shoot.
“Massive game . . . big ups to everyone,” she said.
Both sides were without their usual shooters — Ariz Ruru for Waikohu and the dependable Paku-Jane Brown-White for YMP.
“A draw’s as good as a win for us,” Waikohu coach Cheryl Te Rito said.
“We still have a few things to work on, but I am so proud of them all.”
Stormy Merritt was outstanding for Waikohu in midcourt. She threw herself into everything.
“Jessica Ruru played so well at wing attack in the first half, until the flu she was suffering from got the better of her,” Te Rito said.
YMP coach Ingrid Brown summed it up this way: “ We only had seven players tonight and they were the ‘Super Seven’.
“It was an awesome performance by them and also really well disciplined.
“Most of them are babies, young players, and they really stepped up. It was a great game.”
YMP’s Bronya McMenamin played out of her usual position at goal attack last night and did a great job.
The two teams remain tied on the same points on the table heading towards the playoffs.
• An under-strength and makeshift Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A side made a decent fight of their clash with Taste One High School Old Girls last night, despite having only six players.
HSOG won 64-34 but the students worked hard and never gave up.
The winners meant business from the outset and led 20-5, 36-12 and 49-25 through the first three quarters.
The speed of their ball through court was noticeably higher last night, no doubt helped by a player advantage in midcourt.
“It was a pity that Girls’ High did not have a full team,” HSOG coach Naomi Whitewood said.
“Our speed of ball and the connection between our defence and attack were much improved. There was good flow.”
Whitewood picked out centre Seany Broderick for her play.
“Seany is filling in, in that role, and is doing really well.
“Paare Ahuriri-Leach at wing attack was another standout for us.”
Goal shoot Natalie Te Kani and goal attack Ashleigh Brown worked well together and nailed some nice goals.
“Overall it was a good team effort,” Whitewood said.
Girls’ High stand-in coach Bessie McLaren said she was rapt with the performance of the six they had on court.
“We had to make a lot of changes to give HSOG a game and I think the girls gave them a decent run for their money, despite being short on numbers.”
Stand-in Girls’ High goal shoot Courtney Fleming was one of their best.
