Gutsy Girls’ High in surprise draw with Whangara

TIRELESS IN DEFENCE: Whangara’s Nadia Hohipa (left) and Girls’ High’s Joaquina Kaa both worked tirelessly in the 57-all draw at the YMCA last night. File picture

NETBALL

Gisborne Girls’ High School produced one of the outstanding results of the season so far when they fought tooth and nail to draw with top seeds Whangara Old Girls in a premier-grade netball game at the YMCA last night.

The Pak’nSave premiership match ended tied at 57-all.

Whangara led by two goals (17-15) after 15 minutes, 31-26 at halftime and 45-40 at three-quartertime.

But the students stormed back in the final quarter to tie it up.

“Both teams gave a good display of netball skills and had the spectators enjoying every moment,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“The Gillies Electrical GGHS Senior A team’s confidence in each other is increasing every outing.

“Their links worked very well last night as they pushed top-of-the-table Whangara for the full hour.

“Both goalkeepers, Whangara’s Nadia Hohipa and Girls’ High’s Joaquina Kaa, worked tirelessly, collecting balls as they came into the goal circle and rebounding well.”

In the second match last night, F45 High School Old Girls defeated Claydens Waikohu (3) 53-43.

Waikohu led 10-9 at the end of the first quarter, but after that HSOG got on top, leading 24-19 at halftime and 41-27 at the 45-minute mark.

“This was another competitive game with all team members working together,” Beale said.

“The High School Old Girls attackers worked the ball into their shooters at speed, especially in the second half, when Courtney Stubbins and Katie Keough drove to the top of the goal circle to deliver the ball in to the shooters.

“Both teams’ defenders — Alex Sinclair and Kelly Wood for HSOG and Jasmine Ward and Naomi Alovili for Waikohu — created many turnovers when they were out hunting the ball.”

In Saturday’s match-ups at the YMCA, Horouta Gold play Tapuae at 9am, and Claydens Waikohu (1) play YMP Sunshine Brewery at 10.30am.