“Our midcourt was stronger with Stormy there; she played really well,” Te Rito said.
“The whole team worked so much better together.”
Jenny Murray, for the Tatapouri team, said she and her teammates enjoyed playing in A Grade and were happy to stay there.
“It does feel really good to have made the premier challenge round and it was good to see us lift our game.”
Horouta coach Claire Campbell was well pleased with her team’s performance.
“It helps to further build confidence and belief in what we are doing,” she said.
“I am new to them and they are new to me, and it’s still about finding everyone’s right place on the court, so they can play to their strengths.
“We are close to doing that.”
Demelza Thomas, for HSOG Masters, said they were also happy to stay in A Grade.
“We are a team of recreational players who don’t train and who turn up on Saturday to have fun.
“We have had two intense games in the challenge round and we enjoyed them.”
The netball centre board decided on Saturday afternoon on promotion and relegation for all grades.
“We were pleased to see a lot of clear results, which made the process simpler than it has been in previous years,” centre manager Allisa Hall said.
“Horouta Gold and Claydens Waikohu won both their challenge games and so will remain in the premier grade for the season.”
IMS HSOG Masters and Tatapouri Sportsfit would stay in A Grade, Hall said.
Taiki had two strong results against A Reserve challenging teams YMP (2) and Horouta Hiriwa, so had retained their spot in A Grade.
Farmlands Ngatapa had a two-goal loss to YMP (2) and an eight-goal win against Horouta Hiriwa, so it was decided these teams were on a par with each other and should be in the same grade.
This meant YMP (2) and Horouta Hiriwa stayed in A Reserve, and Farmlands Ngatapa were relegated to join them.
First Grade team Claydens Waikohu (2) won both of their games against the bottom teams of A Reserve, earning promotion to A Reserve.
OBM Blue had lost to Waikohu, but their win against Uawa was big enough for them to retain their A Reserve position. XLR8 had two losses, so were relegated and would join Uawa in First Grade.
Gisborne Denture Clinic HSOG had two strong wins against Gisborne Girls’ High School Jnr A and Kotahi Aroha, earning promotion to First Grade.
Thistle Storm would stay in First Reserve Grade after a close loss to GGHS Jnr A and a close win against Kotahi Aroha. GGHS Jnr A and Kotahi Aroha were relegated to First Reserve Grade.
Steve Craill Builders Ngatapa and Matawai United had been promoted to First Reserve Grade, in a straight swap with Rovers and OBM Red Masters, who moved down to Second Grade for the season.
“We believe the teams have all been fairly placed in grades that will provide a fantastic competition for our seniors,” Hall said.
“We wish everyone luck for the season.”