Cool, calm gets it done

HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT: Waikohu defender Ruby Tuapawa (right) and Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A goal attack Princess Tomoana reach for the ball in their crunch Gisborne Pak’nSave premier netball game at the YMCA on Saturday. Both sides were chasing a win to seal a place in the top-four playoffs. Waikohu got there, 53-46, and will play Whangara Old Girls’ (1) in an elimination semifinal. Pictures by Liam Clayton

Experience told the story on Saturday when Claydens Waikohu and Whangara Old Girls cemented top four places in the Pak’nSave premier grade competition with wins over school teams.

An exciting morning’s play at the YMCA featured a 53-46 win to Waikohu over Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A, followed by Whangara Old Girls beating Lytton Senior A 53-45.

Waikohu’s win sealed the fourth and final spot for the top-four playoffs on 24 points, with Girls’ High two points back.

Whangara (27pts) clinched third.

YMP Sunshine Brewery (44) and Taste One HSOG (38) had already confirmed the top two seedings for the playoffs, which start on Wednesday.

The Waikohu–Girls’ High clash was close for three of the quarters — 12-apiece after the first 15 minutes, 27-23 (halftime) and 38-34 (threequarter time) to Waikohu.

“Waikohu’s experienced players’ calmness in the last quarter helped them take the win over the students,” said netball commentator Sherrill Beale.

“They made the better start and showed how much they wanted the win by all working together, pressuring the ball coming down the court, creating turnovers and pulling ahead.”

Both teams made changes in the third quarter and took some time to adjust, with basic errors committed by both sides, said Beale.

“In the final quarter the teams were back to their original play and Waikohu absorbed the pressure and were steadier than the students to edge ahead.

“There was a good battle between the two centres — Atlee Wainohu (Waikohu) and Hannah Veitch. They shadowed each other all game.

“Waikohu defender Ruby Tuapawa had a good game, with tight marking, good rebounding and hunting the ball at any opportunity, putting doubt into the shooters’ minds.”

Waikohu shooter Toni Rutene also played well.

“She set screens for the ball to be fed into fellow shooter Ariz Ruru and backed up through the court. She also scored some great goals.

“Jessica Ruru, at wing attack, was steady and delivered good ball into both shooters — especially her high lobs to Ariz.”

Beale said the Girls’ High defenders worked hard . . . “especially Naomi Alovili, who pressured the ball that came into the goal circle. She secured many tips and intercepts. But it was Waikohu’s day”.

In the other game, Lytton pressured Whangara in the first half. They led 12-10 after 15 minutes and trailed by only a goal at halftime (23-24).

Whangara, however, pulled ahead in the third period to lead 40-33.

“Whangara coach Ronnie Martin made changes in the third period, which seemed to settle the team, and they started to pull away,” Beale said.

“Nadia Taare moved from goal attack to wing attack, Summer Marama-Kingi came on at goal attack and Taryn Walford moved into centre.”