Horouta fight hard, Whangara win well

Committed play: Tapuae wing defence Cassie-Marie Carroll (left) contests possession with Taryn Walford, of Whangara, in Gisborne premier netball at the YMCA on Saturday. Whangara won the game 73-38. Picture by Paul Rickard

A fighting effort from Horouta Gold and a big win to Whangara Old Girls were highlights of Gisborne Premier Grade netball at the YMCA on Saturday.

The first of the two Pak'nSave premier games ended in a 53-48 win to Claydens Waikohu (1), but Horouta Gold scored a bonus point for getting so close to them.

Waikohu led 13-12 after 15 minutes and 29-23 at halftime, but it was 39-all at the 45-minute mark.

“Horouta Gold brought their top game and pushed higher-seeded Waikohu (1) for the whole game,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“The recent close challenge games have helped Horouta improve their team play and their links worked well on Saturday.”

Waikohu had some good passages of play and looked as if they would pull away.

“However, Horouta came out strongly in the third quarter and applied more pressure, forcing Waikohu into errors, and the score deficit was pulled back,” Beale said.

“In the last quarter, both teams had to work hard for every pass as their supporters cheered them on — especially when there was a chance to capitalise on an error.”

Waikohu withstood the pressure and inched ahead to take the win.

“Waikohu defender Ruby Tuapawa had a good game and made crucial tips, intercepts and rebounds.

“Horouta's Lexi Rutene played well at goal attack, where she moved intelligently around the goal circle and helped her attackers work the ball in.”

In the second match, Whangara Old Girls overpowered premier newcomers Tapuae, from Wairoa, 73-38.

Whangara jumped out to an 18-11 lead in the first quarter and were never headed.

“Welcome to premier grade, Tapuae,” Beale said.

“We were expecting a fast, competitive game and we were not disappointed. Both teams started strongly and showed the strength of their teams working together on attack and defence.”

In the first quarter, Whangara goal defence Tania Adamson made several impressive intercepts.

“That lifted the rest of her teammates and then we were entertained by some slick play by the whole team for the rest of the game,” Beale said.

“Whangara circle defenders Tania and Materoa Poi were a formidable duo for the whole game and made Tapuae shooters Hope Kaihe-Tahuri and Wreyon McCormack-Wesche work for every ball.

“However, when given the chance, those two shooters showed they have a good understanding and they slotted some good goals.”

Beale said the Whangara links worked well and the ball was moved quickly from centre passes or turnovers into their shooters Sandy Porter, Nardia Whaitiri-White and Reremoana Bartlett-Tamatea.

“It was a comprehensive win by top-of-the-table Whangara, but there were some good passages of play from Tapuae and we look forward to seeing them play other teams in this grade.”

Premier Reserve newcomers Ritana Senior A from Lytton High School lost their opening game to Farmlands Ngatapa, but were more competitive.