Close game likely in premier-grade netball clash

Keep the ball moving: Waikohu's Ashleigh Brown looks to move the ball quickly as Gisborne Girls' High's Silke McNaught tries to anticipate the pass. Waikohu will face Whangara Old Girls tomorrow at 9am and is expected to be a close game. Waikohu will look to continue their winning form as they won their mid-week match against High School Old Girls on Wednesday. Picture by Paul Rickard

Waikohu and Whangara Old Girls take the floor at the YMCA in tomorrow's premier netball game and a close encounter can be expected.

The Pak'nSave premier grade competition game starts at 9am.

Claydens Waikohu (1) will back up from their midweek win against F45 High School Old Girls but coach Cheryl Te Rito said the quick turnaround should not disadvantage them tomorrow.

“I don't think so, the girls are up for it.

“They're a lot fitter now than they used to be, so they're looking forward to it.”

Waikohu go into the game level on points with YMP (1), who also have gone through unbeaten so far in Round 2.

Te Rito was pleased with the performance against High School Old Girls.

“The girls took a wee while to settle against them but once they did they got their stride back and settled in really nicely to pull ahead on the scoreboard.”

There has traditionally been a strong rivalry between Waikohu and Whangara.

“They've always been hard; we cannot relax with them,” Te Rito said.

“We've got to be on to any loose ball and capitalise on it, and obviously make the most of the ball we have ourselves.

“This season I have a co-coach, Pania Tumoana, and she has been going really well.

“Pania has pretty much been the one to get the girls where they're at fitness-wise.

“Two heads are better than one.”

Waikohu (1) have been playing well, but were pressured by HSOG the other night.

Whangara Old Girls beat HSOG earlier in this round so they can be expected to apply the same sort of pressure to Waikohu (1) tomorrow.

The last time Waikohu and Whangara met it was a close game up to halftime and then Waikohu pulled ahead.

However, this time a close game for the full hour can be expected.

Whangara coach Ronnie Martin said her players were determined to try their best.

“It will be a tough game that's for sure, especially with the shooting quality of Waikohu,” she said.

“We will need to lift our own shooting performance to match them.

“We're a new team, and it's going to take a bit more time to lift the standards right across the court.

“But once the players have gelled I believe they will produce far better netball all round.”

It will be another busy day at Victoria Domain tomorrow, with play across all grades. Games start at 8.30am and the last round goes on at 2.30pm.