Keen contests at YMCA ‘too close to call’

PRESSURE ON THE CATCH: Georgina Tipuna, of Tapuae, leaps for the ball under pressure from Peyton Riri, of Gisborne Girls’ High School. Tapuae play Waikohu (3) and Girls’ High play Waikohu (1) at the YMCA tonight. Picture by Paul Rickard

Tapuae return to the YMCA tonight no doubt determined to push harder for victory after their narrow loss to Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A last Saturday.

The Wairoa team led for three-quarters of their match against the students and the result got away from them only in the dying minutes. They lost by three goals.

Tonight they take on a team, Claydens Waikohu (3), who also produced a strong showing last weekend.

Waikohu made Horouta Gold work hard for the points last weekend before losing by five goals.

“Both teams have settled well into the premier grade and have been producing good passages of play,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“Tapuae recorded their first win last week and earned a bonus point on Saturday in their close loss.

“Waikohu (3) recorded a bonus point on Saturday, too, so this should be close.

“It was a win by seven goals for Tapuae when these two teams met in Round 1.”

The match starts at 6pm.

In the second match tonight, Waikohu (1) take on Gillies Electrical Girls' High Senior A at 7.30pm.

“There was a big win to Waikohu last time these teams met, but things have changed somewhat since then for both teams,” Beale said.

“Waikohu (1) have been struggling to recapture the strong team play that they displayed in Round 1.

“But their win last Wednesday night over F45 High School Old Girls, that they fought so hard for, will have helped them get it back.”

“At the same time, Girls' High have increased their confidence and have been using their links well.

“So, I am expecting another close, competitive game.”

It would be fair to say that the matches at the YMCA tonight offer real entertainment, and would both be in the “too close to call” bracket.