“With 90 seconds to go, the score was locked at 44-all,” Beale said.
“YMP scored on their own centre pass and then managed to create a turnover on Waikohu’s centre pass, which gave them the two-goal margin at the final whistle.”
“YMP worked together, backed each other and moved the ball at speed when given the chance.”
Beale said YMP goal keep Raiha Campbell was outstanding and managed to get many tips and intercepts.
“She combined well with goal defence Bronya McMenamin in the goal third.
“Waikohu’s defence — Stormy Merritt at goal keep, Anna Barber at wing defence and Ruby Tuapawa at goal defence — worked together well and pressured YMP’s ball carriers.
“That resulted in YMP having to be patient in passing the ball around before the space opened up to deliver the ball into their shooters Kelann Kemp and Paku-Jane Skudder.”
The win has extended YMP’s lead in the competition. They now have 36 points. Waikohu have 22 points in fourth spot.
In the second match last night, Taste One High School Old Girls defeated Champers Horouta Gold 58-42.
HSOG led comfortably throughout, the quarter scores being 18-7, 33-20 and 43-21.
“HSOG worked together well and drove the ball at speed through the court,” Beale said.
“Horouta made changes, but could not pull the deficit back.”
She said HSOG midcourt attackers Kelly Wood, Katie Kirkpatrick and Anna Naden found their links and delivered good ball into shooters Marcia Beale, Lisa Basford and Ashleigh Brown.
“They also drove on to the goal circle and worked the triangles when needed.
“Marcia positioned well in the goal circle, took some good high balls and finished off with goals,” Beale said.
“At the other end, defender Sarah Cox had a strong game and secured tips and intercepts to stop the ball going in to the opposition’s shooters.”
The win keeps HSOG in second spot on the points table, with 29, now five points ahead of third-placed Whangara Old Girls.
