Horouta and Ritana both keen to rise

MENTAL BATTLE: Ritana Senior A goal attack Kiara Swannell collects the ball with High School Old Girls wing defence Saffron Eparaima in close attendance in a recent match. Ritana, from Lytton High School, will look to lift themselves off the bottom of the premier grade points table when they take on fellow tailenders Horouta Gold at the YMCA tomorrow. Their coach hopes to see another improvement in how they handle the mental battle. File picture by Paul Rickard

NETBALL

ONLY one premier grade game will be played in Gisborne netball tomorrow, and it promises to be a beauty.

The Pak’nSave senior competition match between Ritana Senior A and Champers Horouta Gold at the YMCA gives both teams the chance to climb off the bottom of the table.

“It was a close game last time these teams met and both sides have pushed higher-seeded teams this round,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“I am expecting this to be another competitive game.”

Ritana, from Lytton High School, and Horouta languish on just two points at the bottom of the table.

A win for either side will take them past Gisborne Girls’ High School into fifth spot.

The teams go into tomorrow’s clash with widely varied results in their latest matches.

Ritana were comprehensively outplayed in their most recent game when they were defeated by arch-rivals Gisborne Girls’ High School 50-39.

Horouta, on the other hand, went within two goals of a win against Whangara Old Girls last week, and Whangara lowered High School Old Girls’ colours in style on Wednesday night.

Recent results seem to favour Horouta having their first win of the season, but it will be close.

“Every game has been a battle for us this season; it’s been a mental battle as much as anything,” Lytton coach Claire Campbell said.

“My girls have the capability, but it’s how they deal with the mental pressure that’s impacting on their game.

“Having said that, they are young, learning with each game, and a lovely bunch of girls.”

Campbell said they trained well on Wednesday night.

“They are looking forward positively to playing Horouta tomorrow morning.”

The match starts at 10am.

The full table now has Claydens Waikohu sharing top spot with YMP Sunshine Brewery on 16 points after YMP’s win on Wednesday night.

Taste One High School Old Girls have slipped back to third-equal with Whangara Old Girls, after their upset loss that same night. Both sides are on 12 points, then Girls’ High are on five, followed by Ritana and Horouta.

All other grades will be in action on the Victoria Domain courts from 9am to 3pm.