HSOG too slick for Waikohu

SUDDEN-DEATH SEMI: Taste One HSOG goal defence Sarah Cox gets two hands to the ball as Claydens Waikohu goal attack Arahia Ruru reaches for it in front of HSOG centre Katie Kirkpatrick. HSOG won the premier grade netball top-four knockout semifinal 56-43 to book a grand final date with YMP Sunshine Brewery. Picture by Paul Rickard

HIGH School Old Girls powered into the Gisborne premier grade grand final, outplaying Waikohu 56-43 in last night’s do-or-die semifinal in the YMCA.

Taste One HSOG will play YMP Sunshine Brewery for the Jan Duncan Memorial Cup at 1pm on Saturday in the Y.

“We’re into the final and everyone is so excited about it,” said HSOG coach Tanya Owen.

Her team led throughout. They were up 14-9 after 15 minutes, 28-20 at halftime and 45-33 at threequarter time.

“The girls went out there wanting to make their club, their families and themselves proud, and they did that,” said Owen.

HSOG last appeared in the final in 2011, and won it.

Claydens Waikohu had a nervous start, whereas HSOG settled quickly into a slick passing game, said commentator Sherrill Beale.

“Waikohu were more settled in the second quarter and pulled the deficit back to lead by one midway through.

“However, HSOG found their rhythm again, took the lead near the end of the quarter and never relinquished it.”

“We went into the game knowing we were going to have to fight for it,” said Owen.

Beale said it was hard to single out HSOG’s players because they all worked well together . . . “especially in defence of the ball going down the court to Waikohu’s end. Their pressure helped to shut down the options for Waikohu”.

“Centres Katie Kirkpatrick (HSOG) and Atlee Wainohu (Waikohu) had a good battle. They were speedy through court, made themselves available and delivered good ball to their shooters.”

HSOG’s shooters also impressed — Ashleigh Brown for the whole hour, Natalie Knight in the first half, then Lisa Burford in the second.

“Ashleigh combined well with both of them and shot some great goals.

“Sarah Cox, at goal defence then goal keep, went out hunting the ball to create turnovers. She worked well with Alex Sinclair and, later, Kelly Swann-Ferris.”

Owen paid tribute to their bench.

“Big ups to our substitutes, who have sat on the bench the last four or five games. Their patience, support and feedback to the playing team has been absolutely invaluable.”

Beale said Waikohu made various changes but could not stop HSOG’s run.

“It just wasn’t our night,” said Waikohu coach Cheryl Te Rito. “We did not start like we wanted to. We were a bit flat. Maybe there were some nerves.”

She was still proud of her team.

“I said to the girls afterwards from how we started, struggling to stay in the grade, and then to go on and make the major semi final was a fantastic achievement.

“It was a credit to all the girls.

“HSOG played very well and deserved it. Good luck to them in the final on Saturday.

“Also thanks to all our supporters who have been behind us all season, and now we look forward to next season. We will build towards it.”

Waikohu end the season in third place.

In the earlier game last night, Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior outplayed Lytton Senior A 51-43.

Lytton led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter but Girls’ High upped their game in the second period to lead 29-22 at halftime and held that advantage, 40-33, at threequarter time.

“Girls’ High were more focused in the second quarter. They worked as a team on attack and defence, and slowly pulled ahead,” Beale said.

“They secured many turnovers and then capitalised on them.”

Girls’ High defenders Naomi Alovili and Kaipo Olsen-Baker combined impressively.

“Naomi worked hard to stop the high ball Lytton like to deliver in to shooter Manaia Hutana, and took several intercepts.

“Shooters Princess Tomoana and Kaden Moeke have developed a good understanding and moved well in the circle to give their feeders good options.

“Georgia Allen worked tirelessly at wing attack.”

Girls’ High finish in fifth place and Lytton sixth.