Double-header success

YMP wing defence Renee Wikaire (left) closes in on High School Old Girls wing attack Paare Ahuriri-Leach in a grading game at Victoria Domain on Saturday. High School Old Girls won the match 38-32. Picture by Paul Rickard

The Lytton Senior A netballers started their 2018 season where they left off in 2017, with two wins under their belts after the first round of senior grading at Victoria Domain on Saturday.

It was a sensational start for the students in the Pak’nSave competition.

They beat Claydens Waikohu 35-25 and Horouta Gold 37-34.

“I was quite surprised they won the way they did against such a traditionally strong team as Waikohu,” Lytton coach Ronnie Martin said.

“We had more energy and were a bit fitter, and that made the difference.”

Lytton have retained the core of their team from last season, including dynamic shooter Manaia Hutana, who shot well.

“It was a really good, close game against Horouta right up until a few minutes from the end,” Martin said.

“It was 32-all when Horouta goal keep Charity Puna injured her knee and was taken to hospital in an ambulance.”

(Horouta coach Claire Campbell said Puna would be out of action for “a few weeks”.)

Martin said Lytton managed to get ahead of Horouta after the restart.

Whangara Old Girls also had double-header wins. They beat Gisborne Girls’ High School 34-19, then Taste One High School Old Girls 41-24.

“It was very pleasing to win both games,” said Martin, who will also coach Whangara again this season.

“It was a good start for us.

“We have lost Tracey Babbington-Maynard to the new Old Whangara Girls team, but we gained a good replacement in Te Maiora Olsen-Baker.”

HSOG handed out a 38-32 first-round loss to reigning premier champions YMP.

“High School Old Girls had ex-Ngatapa shooter Natalie Knight under the hoop for them and defender Kelly Swann-Ferris has returned after playing for the IMS HSOG Masters,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“They have also had a new mid-courter from Wellington join their ranks.”

YMP were without the services of Paku-Jane Skudder (nee Brown-White) and ace defender Bronya McMenamin.

“The weather was kind for the start of the round and there were some interesting results,” Beale said.

“The local competition takes a break next weekend and the seniors return to the courts on April 7.”

At Easter, Tairawhiti Maori Netball hosts the Aoteoroa Maori Netball Tournament. Fifty teams will play in under-15, u17, u19 and open grades.

Games will be played on Saturday and Sunday.