Another nailbiting Challenge win for Horouta

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Horouta Gold had another nailbiting win in Gisborne netball's Challenge Round for senior grades on Saturday.

Playing to retain their Premier Grade place, they beat Tapuae 47-44 after trailing at the end of the first quarter.

On Wednesday, in one of the opening games of the Challenge Round, Horouta beat Clayden's Waikohu (3) 52-51.

Gisborne netball's grading committee decided all three teams should be in the Premier Grade for the rest of the season. However, Ritana Senior A were relegated to Premier Reserve (see also the story on page 23 of paper today ).

In the Challenge Round, the top two teams from the grades below Premier challenged the bottom two teams of the grade above (see the story ).

Premier/Premier Reserve: Horouta Gold 47 Tapuae 44 (9-14, 24-21, 36-31, 47-44).

Tapuae led by five at the end of the first quarter but after a run of seven goals in a row, Horouta led 17-14. Then it was virtually goal for goal, with Horouta Gold slightly ahead in the last three quarters.

Horouta opted for shorter passes and being steady through the court, while Tapuae played fast, long passes. Both sides made their opponents work for every pass.

*Claydens Waikohu (3) 75 Ritana Snr A 42 (16-13, 34-22, 55-34, 75-42).

Claydens Waikohu (3) put in a strong performance, increasing their lead at each quarter. On attack, they used their experience to move the ball speedily through the court. In defence they worked together to pressure the students into errors.

Premier Reserve/A Grade: *Horouta Taimana 32 Tatapouri Sportsfit 31, *Farmlands Ngatapa 43 Taiki 21, *Farmlands Ngatapa 37 Tatapouri Sportsfit 25, *Horouta Taimana 32 Taiki 25.

A Grade/A Reserve: *Claydens Waikohu (2) 27 Whalis 26, YMP (2) 35 Campion Snr A 30, *Campion Snr A 57 Whalis 24, YMP (2) 35 Claydens Waikohu (2) 21.

A Reserve/First Grade: *Gisborne Girls' High School Junior A 36 Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) 18, *NZHL Thistle Storm 36 GGHS Korihi 30, *GGHS Jnr A 31 GGHS Korihi 23, Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) 39 NZHL Thistle Storm 26.

First Grade/First Reserve: *Wahine Hauora HSOG 31 Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 12, Tyre General Ngatapa 35 Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 25, Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 30 Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 20, Tyre General Ngatapa defeated Wahine Hauora High School Old Girls by default.

First Reserve/Second Grade: *Claydens Waikohu (4) 42 XLR8 8, *Uawa Kahukuraiti 38 GGHS TSA 4, *Uawa Kahukuraiti 44 XLR8 6, *Claydens Waikohu (4) 36 GGHS TSA 5.