Lytton too classy for Horouta

MIDCOURT BATTLE: Lytton High School Senior A centre Maia Rickard reaches for the intercept as the ball is passed to Horouta Gold wing attack Ngahuria Akania. Rickard had a strong game in the students’ 53-39 premier netball win at the YMCA, while Akania worked tirelessly for Gold. Picture by Paul Rickard

Lytton High School Senior A worked well on attack and defence to run out convincing winners over Horouta Gold in Pakn’Save premier netball at the YMCA on Saturday.

The students led all the way in a classy 53-39 win.

They were ahead 14-10 after 15 minutes, 26-20 at halftime and 39-30 at threequarter time.

“Lytton played well today. They worked together to get the ball and drove it through court before delivering to tall shooter Manaia Hutana,” said netball commentator Sherrill Beale.

“It was not always that easy though, as Horouta’s goal keep Lucretia Taitapanui made her presence felt and collected a few high balls going into the goal circle.”

“Manaia (Hutana) was assisted in the circle by Reremoana Bartlett-Tamatea in the first half and Honey Mokomoko in the second.

“Anatea Taituha had a good game at centre and then at wing defence. She has good awareness and is very quick to collect an intercept or pick up loose ball.

Beale said Taituha worked well with Maia Rickard, who had time at centre and wing defence, and with wing attack Riata Maynard.

“Horouta worked hard and were competitive but just could not stop Lytton’s flow.

“Simone Neilson, at centre, and Ngahuria Akania, at wing attack, worked tirelessly.

“Goal defence Simmy Taitapanui and goal defence and shooter Aroha Brown had good games, too.”

The win lifted Lytton to 15 points on the table, three points behind Gisborne Girls High, who are fifth.

Girls’ High have two games to go before the playoffs while Lytton have one.

The battle is still on for fourth spot on the table and a place in the playoffs.

In one of the two games in the YMCA on Wednesday night, Girls’ High take on Horouta Gold.

A win would see the students move into outright fourth, two points ahead of Claydens Waikohu.

The other game should be a top-of-the-table classic, with YMP Sunshine Brewery up against Taste One High School Old Girls.

YMP lead the competition on 40 points, with HSOG on 37.