Grade finals expected to be tight contests

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

THE other senior netball finals tomorrow will complete what looks set to be a thrilling finale to the season.

The A Grade final at 12 midday pits Claydens Waikohu Masters against IMS High School Old Girls Masters, which will be a replay of the 2019 final.

Both teams had strong wins in the semifinals last weekend.

“This season, those teams had a draw in Round 1, then Waikohu had a dominant victory in Round 2,” centre manager Allisa Hall said.

“This game will be another strong match with both teams hungry for the A Grade title.”

Tapuae go into the A Reserve final at 1.15pm still undefeated after a dominant 39-20 win against 2019 grade runners-up Whalis.

“They'll meet Farmlands Ngatapa after they had a strong win against FarmCare HSOG,” Hall said.

“Tapuae have won both encounters with Ngatapa this season, but Ngatapa showed good improvement in the second-round result, so this is also shaping up to be an exciting match-up.”

In the First Grade, Gisborne Girls' High School Junior A play Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa at 12 midday.

“The students have had a perfect run this season, and put in a dominant display against Uawa in the semifinal,” Hall said.

“Ngatapa had a slow start to the season, ending Round 1 in sixth place, but with an improved second round they made the top four and now the final.

“They had a nail-biting one-goal win against OBM Blue in the semis.

“The students have beaten Ngatapa twice this season, but the Ngatapa girls have shown great improvement so this will be another great game.”

In First Reserve/Second Grade, with points to decide final placings, the two top teams — Uawa Kahukuraiti and Tatapouri Sportsfit Social — play each other at 1.15pm.