High scores, big margins

Big win: YMP’s Jayda Banks looks to pass the ball as Gisborne Girls’ High School’s Joaquina Kaa attempts to defend the pass. YMP drove home a big win margin over GGHS last night with the final score 62-37.Picture by Paul Rickard

Round 2 of the premier grade netball competition started last night with high scores and big margins as YMP (1) thumped Gisborne Girls’ High and Whangara Old Girls outshone High School Old Girls.

In the first of the Pak’nSave matches at the YMCA last night, YMP were all over Gillies Electrical GGHS Senior A and won the match 62-37.

They dominated from the outset and the quarter scores reflect that — 13-7, 33-17 and 49-26.

YMP put on a strong performance, all team members working together throughout the court.

In the first quarter both teams moved the ball well, players feinting a move to lose their opposition and then running on to the pass.

But in the second quarter YMP put their foot down, pressured the students into errors and scored twice as many goals as their opposition.

It was a good team effort by YMP, and they steadily pulled ahead to take a convincing win to start Round 2.

In the other match last night, Whangara Old Girls were 57-44 winners over F45 HSOG.

The quarter scores show how Whangara built into the match.

They led 12-9 after a quarter of an hour, then by only a goal, 23-22, at halftime.

But by three-quartertime the score was 43-31 to Whangara.

It was a close contest for the first half. Both teams were playing a similar game. The score went virtually goal for goal in the second quarter and Whangara were only just in front at halftime.

After that, they tightened their team defence throughout the court and pressured the HSOG ball carriers into errors, which were converted into goals.

The one-goal halftime lead became 12 and the damage was done.

Whangara goal defenders Kelsey Hohipa and Torepe Taumaunu were relentless and stopped many balls going into the HSOG shooters.

No netball games will be played on Saturday as all grades take a break over the long weekend.