Girls' High defeat last year's finalists

LOVED HER SPORT: Jaymee Watson (at right) was pictured in action in a match last season playing for Whangara Old Girls. File picture

FINAL-round play in the Pak’nSave Gisborne Premier Netball Competition could be among the most competitive in recent times, if Saturday’s results are any indication.

Round 2 wrapped up on Saturday with Gisborne Girls’ High School beating last year’s runners-up.

The students’ 63-59 victory over Whangara Old Girls at the weekend meant they finished Round 2 in fifth position, tied on 12 points with Horouta Gold, who will start the third round of competition in fourth place, thanks to a better goal difference.

Girls’ High coach Elaine Lamont put the team’s recent strong performances down to better commitment.

“It feels really good to be in that position,” she said.

“I think the girls are all happy about that.

“At the beginning of the season they were involved in a lot of different sports, so it took them a while.

“We’ve also lost a couple of players to injury but those who have moved into the team seem to have filled those spots really well.

“We are working as a team at the moment, with commitment.”

Whangara remain in second place, thanks to a bonus point from Saturday’s defeat and a better goal difference than IMS High School Old Girls, who also have 14 points — 10 points behind first placed YMP (1).

Clayden’s Waikohu are in sixth place on 10 points but are still within striking distance of an all-important fourth-place position, and just four points behind second place.

Winless Farmlands Ngatapa remain bottom with just one bonus point to their name.