Challenge games the focus at Victoria Domain

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

THE challenge phase in Poverty Bay netball kicks into gear at Victoria Domain tomorrow as the top and bottom teams across all grades go head to head for promotion or relegation.

The main events are the crossover games between Gisborne Girls’ High School A, Farmlands Ngatapa, Taiki and Whalis.

Both matches are on the outdoor courts at 11.50am tomorrow.

A Grade contenders for the premiers, Taiki and Whalis, were on the receiving end of solid defeats in the first round of challenge matches on Wednesday night in the YMCA.

Tomorrow’s match-ups could be just as tough.

“But you never know how things are going to go on the day,” netball centre manager Allisa Hall said.

“Despite the results on Wednesday, Taiki and Whalis will still be determined to play their hardest in their bid for promotion to premiers.”

Some fantastic match-ups are in store lower down the grades tomorrow.

“The top teams have gone undefeated in a couple of grades, like Tatapouri Sportfit in A Reserve . . . they are vying for A Grade membership,” Hall said.

“In First Grade, Thistle Spirit are also unbeaten and will seek A Reserve status.”

The first round of senior games is on at 10.50am.

“We have a massive day tomorrow with all the junior grading starting across primary, intermediate and secondary school teams,” Hall said.

More than 90 games have been scheduled in the netball draw for tomorrow.