Close contest a fitting finale

TIGHT MARKING: Whangara Old Girls shooter Nardia Whaitiri-White takes a pass under pressure from tight-marking Tapuae goal defence Queisha King-Panapa. Tomorrow morning Whangara play Waikohu (1) and Wairoa team Tapuae play High School Old Girls. Both games will be at the YMCA. File picture by Paul Rickard

NETBALL

A FIERCELY contested game between two evenly matched teams will be a fitting finale to the second round of premier-grade netball at the YMCA tomorrow morning.

Whangara Old Girls and Claydens Waikohu (1) will meet at 10.30am in a Pak’nSave senior competition game that will bring out the best in both teams.

“It was a win to Whangara last time these teams met, and they will also be smarting from their loss to F45 High School Old Girls last week,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“Waikohu (1) have had up-and-down performances this round, but they will be determined to bring their top game tomorrow.”

It will be the last game of this round and Whangara sit four points (a win) behind Waikohu (1), so victory will be important to both teams.

“These teams know each other well and will be determined to stop their flow of ball,” Beale said.

“We should see some good match-ups through the court. I am expecting a close, competitive game to finish the round.”

At 9am, High School Old Girls play Tapuae, from Wairoa.

“High School Old Girls played well last Saturday and kept their cool to sneak a one-goal win against Whangara.

“Tapuae had a loss, but it was against top-of-the-table YMP Sunshine Brewery, and they kept in touch with them for the first half.”

The scoreline blew out in the second half and YMP were comfortable winners.

“I am expecting both HSOG and Tapuae to be competitive as they build on their good performances from last week,” Beale said.

“Both teams like to move the ball at speed and work as a team on attack and defence.”

​At the conclusion of Round 2, the premier teams will be reseeded and split into two pools for a “pool play round” before the finals round.

“Pool A will have the first-, fourth-, fifth- and eighth-placed teams, and Pool B the second-, third-, sixth- and seventh-placed teams.”

The Victoria Domain courts will be busy from 9am through to 2.45pm.

The futureFERNS, intermediate and secondary grades complete their seasons tomorrow.

The intermediate and secondary prize-giving will be held in the downstairs hall after the 12 midday round of games.

Senior netball takes a break on Saturday July 17.

The premiers will continue their Wednesday competition.