Champs crowned on finals day at the domain

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

Spectators were entertained by some exciting games on the Victoria Domain courts as the 2023 Gisborne Pak’nSave senior competition ended with finals day.

The biggest margin of victory over the finals was nine goals while, like the Premier Grade final over the road in the YMCA later in the afternoon,  one of the other senior finals went to extra-extra time.

In Prem Reserve, Down to Earth OG Whangara beat Horouta Taimana 26-25 in a highly competitive game during which both teams led.

OG Whangara were awarded the Tina Karaitiana Cup as champions and the GNC Millennium Cup for highest goal average and the Ruapani Cup for lowest goal Average for Prem Reserve and A Grade.

Horouta Taimana won the Jaymee Watson Memorial Cup as runners-up.

In A Grade, The Tav Sportsfit beat GGHS Snr B 19-16 to win the Stoneham Cup.  GGHS Snr B were awarded the Shirley Smith Cup and the Basketball Cup for most improved team.

In A Reserve, Gisborne Girls’ High Junior A defeated YMP Hine Taiohi Whakato 30-21. Some good skills were on display from these young players, which is a promising sign for the future. GGHS Jnr A were awarded the Pat Tamatea Cup and YMP Hine Taiohi Whakato the Toni Leach Cup.

​In 1st Grade, Claydens Waikohu (4 ) had a 32-30 victory over Brendan Fry Builder Sportsfit OG. The teams could not be split at the end of normal extra time so had to continue until one of them got two goals in front.

Waikohu (4), who won 2nd Grade last year, were awarded the Tait Family Cup and the trophy for highest goal average for grades A Reserve and below. Sportsfit OG were presented the PB Umpires Cup.

In 1st Reserve, Allwood Enterprises HSOG beat Whatatutu 23-17 and were awarded the Umpires 50th Jubilee Cup. Whatatutu received the Irving Cup.

In 2nd Grade, Horouta Kohatu defeated Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 27-23. Horouta were awarded the PB Teachers Cup and Tatapouri Sportsfit Social the Sally Walters Cup.

In other awards, the lowest goal average in grades A Reserve and below went to XLR8.

The Efficiency Cup for commitment to netball went to Gisborne Girls’ High School.

Sisters Challise and Charnelle Rutene  won the Miriam Swarbrick Cup for dedication to netball.

Umpire awards — Umpire of the Year: Iri Nepe-MacDonald.

Most improved senior: Iri Nepe-MacDonald.

Up  and coming umpire Demelza Thomas.

Most dedicated: Saara Penfold.

Highest theory mark: Demelza Thomas.

Junior secondary umpire of the year Lily Hulley.

Most improved junior umpire: Ella August.