Desperate for points

Fingertip netball: Lytton goal attack Honey Mokomoko (left) contests possession with High School Old Girls goal defence Kelly Swann-Ferris (centre) and Alex Sinclair in grading action at Victoria Domain. The game between Lytton and Gisborne Girls’ High School is expected to attract plenty of sideline support tomorrow.Picture by Paul Rickard

NETBALL

WHANGARA Old Girls are expected to remain unbeaten in this year’s netball grading at Victoria Domain tomorrow but opponents Horouta Gold will be desperate to win both their games.

Horouta head into Round 3 of grading at the bottom of the points table, and most at risk of a spot in the challenge-round playoffs.

Whangara go into the round on 12 points. Taste One High School Old Girls have 9; Lytton Senior A 8; Gisborne Girls’ High Senior A, Waikohu and YMP 4; and Horouta 2 (bonus points).

“We played them (Horouta) in the Kathleen Henderson tournament and had a fairly close game, so we expect the same again,” Whangara coach Ronnie Martin said.

“We have basically kept ourselves in premier grade and avoided the challenge round already, which was our main aim.

“So now with the games left we can work on what works well in terms of combinations,” Martin said.

Horouta not only face the very much in-form Whangara at 9.55am, they also play the resurgent Taste One High School Old Girls at 11.45am.

Their coach, Claire Campbell, said her girls needed points tomorrow and had to turn up with a winning attitude.

“Both games will be battles. The girls are disappointed with their results so far.

“My job will be to lift their belief and trust in each other, which we have worked on at training this week.”

The clash between Lytton and Girls’ High promises to be one of the other matches of great interest tomorrow.

“Games between the school sides are always exciting,” netball centre manager Allisa Hall said.

“Their game tomorrow at 10.50am will be no different, I am sure.”

Lytton coach Martin said they would have Manaia Hutana back this weekend. She missed last weekend’s loss to HSOG.

“Manaia certainly makes a difference to the team with her added height and scoring accuracy.”

Martin said the game would give them a good gauge on their progress.

“The girls have won two games already but need a third win to ensure they stay in premiers and avoid the challenge round.”

It will be an important round for Claydens Waikohu, too, and they will want to build on what they put out last Saturday in narrowly beating Horouta.

“It will not be easy against YMP tomorrow, but we are not stressing about it,” Waikohu coach Cheryl Te Rito said.

“We are still concentrating on gelling the team and getting the girls to concentrate for the full match.”

They play YMP at 9.55am.

Their opponents have a double-header this weekend and at full strength can be expected to win them both.

Their second match is at 12.40pm against Girls’ High School Senior A.

“I am pretty satisfied with how the team are progressing to this point of the season,” YMP coach Ingrid Brown said.

“We are looking forward to our games tomorrow and getting some more points on the table.”

Girls’ High coach Irene Takao said both her team’s games would have their challenges, in different ways.

“I think the girls will be equal to Lytton and give them a good run for their money.

“It will be more of test against YMP, but I don’t think the girls will let them run away with it.”