File picture
NETBALL
Gisborne Girls’ High senior A netballers pulled off another sensational premier grade upset when they knocked over in-form High School Old Girls in the YMCA last night.
As they did in beating top-of-the-table YMP (1) last week, Girls’ High trailed at the start of the fourth quarter but finished strongly to win 49-47.
“They blew me away,” Girls’ High coach Irene Takao said of her side.
“They have dealt with the two top teams in the competition (YMP and HSOG), and got a bonus point out of the third top team (Whangara).”
The game started evenly, with both sides scoring a dozen goals in the opening 15 minutes. By halftime, Taste One HSOG had their noses in front, 25-23, and led 39-34 with 15 to go.
“It was a close game for the whole hour,” said netball commentator Sherrill Beale. “At the start of the third quarter HSOG came out firing, and within five minutes they had pulled the margin out to six and looked as though they were going to take the game.
“The students had other ideas. They pulled it back to within one goal, then let it slip away to be down by five at threequarter time.”
The last quarter was exciting.
“The score was level after five minutes and then went goal-for-goal for the last 10 minutes”
Girls’ High goal attack Princess Tomoana had a fine game.
“She was a steadying influence on the team, directing where the ball needed to go,” said Beale.
“Princess combined well with Kaden Moeke at goal shoot. Both gave their feeders (wing attack Peyton Riri and centre Hannah Veitch) options and shot well.
“Naomi Alovili, at goal keep, played the first and last quarters, and made some crucial intercepts in the last quarter.
“She went out hunting the ball and that made HSOG more hesitant in using the high lob to the shooters.”
Girls’ High goal defence Kaipo Olsen-Baker worked tirelessly and was instrumental in several turnovers.
For HSOG, Alex Sinclair had a strong game at goal defence, attacking the ball, picking up rebounds and linking both ends.
“It was an enjoyable game with both teams giving a good display of skills.”
Takao said she “could not be happier as coach . . . they have tracked a journey where they have never been before.”
She named the entire team her “player of the day”.
In last night’s other game, Whangara Old Girls beat Horouta Gold 54-39.
Whangara were fast out of the blocks. They led 15-5 after the first 15 minutes, 32-16 by halftime and had maintained that buffer (42-28) by the end of the third quarter.
It was a strong all-round performance from Whangara.