In the final minute, with Horouta up by one goal, Lytton missed two shots. A misdirected pass into the circle seconds before the final whistle took away their chance of forcing a draw.
Horouta wing attack Challise Rutene played out of her skin. Her experience and drive in the final period held her team together.
“It was a really good game and Lytton have improved so much,” Horouta coach Charnelle Rutene said.
“We were lucky to win tonight!
“In the end, our experience got us there and the defensive pressure we were able to mount in the second half helped a lot.
“Overall, it was a good team effort and winning tonight means we are now definitely in the top-four playoffs, which we are very pleased about.
“So now we can work on settling in our combinations to be more prepared for those playoffs.”
Lytton coach Ronnie Martin said that in the second half her girls made some basic errors that cost them.
“We were holding it together well until that third quarter, but that’s when the errors started to creep in,” she said.
“We made some changes in the final quarter and got back into it again, but it was not quite enough.
“It’s a shame the girls couldn’t win it, but they are ready to compete well in the bottom-four playoffs.”
Manaia Hutana shot superbly again and Ruby Westrupp produced another powerhouse display in defence.
“Georgia Teneti played well for us at centre, too, for three-quarters of the game, and Lauren Matenga-Huia was strong for us at wing defence.”
• In the other match last night, YMP (1) overpowered Farmlands Ngatapa 70-23.
YMP controlled the game and the scoreboard to lead 14-8, 35-18 and 52-21 through the first three quarters.
The speed through court and combination variations they have developed sends a clear message to the other top teams ahead of the playoffs.
“We have still got some polishing to do, but I am very happy with that performance tonight,” their coach Ingrid Brown said.
“Our wing defence Renee Wikaire was my standout player. Her defensive work was really good and she was so hungry for the ball.
“Our goal keep Keasi Williams-Fonohema was also exceptional, and she played a full game. The improvement in her game is clear to see.”
The Ngatapa coaches picked out Kylee Poole at wing defence as their player of the day.
“Kylee was solid all round,” co-coach Kate Faulks said.
“She takes in the coaching points and brings them to her game.
“We got heaps of ball tonight but the girls made too many mistakes. We threw too much of that good ball away.
“Roll on the bottom-four playoffs now. We are going to finish fifth, that’s our aim.”
