Bonus point for ‘firing’ Ritana

ON ATTACK: HSOG’s Ana Naden gathers the ball despite the attention of Girls’ High senior A’s Gaibreill Wainohu. HSOG won their game 85-41. Picture by Paul Rickard

Ritana senior A went within four goals of an upset in Pak’nSave premier grade netball on Saturday in the Gisborne YMCA, and High School Old Girls racked up an even bigger score than last weekend.

Claydens Waikohu 1 held on to beat a determined Ritana 59-56, with the students scoring a bonus point for getting within five goals.

It was tight throughout, with Waikohu up 16-15 after 15 minutes, 30-all at half time and 47-44 at three-quarter time.

“It was a very close game for the full hour,” said commentator Sherill Beale.

“Both teams pressured each other’s ball carrier trying to create turnovers and hoping to pull away, but neither team could take dominance. Even in the last minute spectators were still wondering which team would take the win,” Beale said.

“Waikohu defenders Panache Hale, Ruby Tuapawa, Anna Barber and Karen Matiaha worked together to pressure the ball carrier.

“Their shooters Toni Rutene and Ariz Ruru had to work hard, but slotted some good goals,” she said.

Ritana defenders Te Aria Henwood and Georgia Teneti had strong performances.

“They combined well and pressured every ball coming into the goal circle. Both were also out hunting the ball, which put some indecision into the passers’ minds.

“Shooter Keasi Williams-Fonohema had a good game, by positioning herself to take the high lob strongly and then finished off with some good shooting stats,” Beale said.

Ritana coach Claire Campbell was very pleased with how the team went.

“They played together more as a team and they are starting to apply more of the things they get taught.”

Waikohu coach Cheryl Te Rito said she went home with a few more grey hairs.

“All credit to Lytton, they just came out firing whereas we didn’t fire at all.

“The girls were flat for the whole game, and we need to find our consistency.

“We are up and down and that’s not what we want,” Te Rito said.

In the other ‘Y’ match Taste One High School Old Girls demolished Gisborne Girls’ High senior A 85-41.

HSOG led handsomely throughout — 14-8, 35-19, 60-30.

“Taste One gave another strong team performance on attack and defence,” Beale said.

“Their goal attack Lisa Basford played the full game and worked well with her two goal shooters Marcia Beale and Ashleigh Brown.

“She is very speedy and directs play in and around the goal circle.

“Lisa collects some great passes while entering the goal circle, delivers good ball to her shooters and/or slots the goals effortlessly herself.”

Beale said the other HSOG attackers, wing attack Courtney Stubbins and Ana Naden, centre Katie Kirkpatrick and Kelly Wood, had been developing a good understanding.

“They position themselves well and deliver consistently into the shooters.

“For Girls’ High, centre Hannah Veitch and wing attack Aarika-Rahera Ruru worked together well.

“They drove to the top of the goal circle and helped to deliver some good ball to their shooters Te Oriwa Tuipolotu, Judaea Keelan-Phillips and Peyton Riri.”