Waikohu defender Stormie Merritt competes with Lytton's Honey Mokomoko. Picture by Paul Rickard
Waikohu set themselves up nicely for the Gisborne premier-grade netball playoffs with a solid win at the YMCA on Saturday, but not before Lytton Senior A gave them a wake-up call.
Claydens Waikohu won 72-52 and led throughout, albeit narrowly early on.
They won the first quarter 17-15 after a strong start by the students, but they settled to lead 38-29 and 53-42 through the second and third periods of play.
Waikohu coach Cheryl Te Rito said the first quarter was a “bit of a shock” as Lytton gave them a wake-up call.
“They played awesome,” she said.
“It took us a while to settle, and I was reluctant to make changes through the first 45 minutes. But when the girls settled, they played their own game and looked good.”
Ani Tiko at goal keep and Stormy Merritt at goal defence both had strong games and made life tough for the Lytton shooters.
Family ties effectiveGoal attack Toni Rutene was again the unflappable general, and her feeds into the ever-accurate Ariz Rutene, at goal shoot, were simple and effective.
Te Rito said the past two weeks had been good preparation for them ahead of the playoffs.
Lytton made errors that cost them, especially after they had worked so hard to stay in the game and even gained a little momentum in the third quarter when they trailed 39-30.
Lytton coach Ronnie Martin said the girls started well but as the game wore on they tended to throw good ball away.
“You cannot do that to stay with a team like Waikohu, let alone hope to beat them,” she said.
“The whole team made mistakes at times today, but they can do better and I am sure they will in the playoffs.
“It’s important they reduce the error rate heading into the bottom-four playoffs this week, where seedings for next season are so important.”
Martin picked out wing defence Georgia Teneti and goal keep Elenoa Seruwaqa for special mention.
Goal shoot Manaia Hutana was on target almost all of the time when her teammates were able to get the ball to her.
In the other game, Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A fought all the way, but the experience of Farmlands Ngatapa got them home, 49-40.
Ngatapa led 11-7 after 15 minutes, despite a stronger start from the students, and then it closed to 22-20 at halftime.
Ngatapa outscored Girls’ High 15-8 in the third quarter to pull away (37-28) and the margin was the same at the end.
Ngatapa coach Kate Faulks said they got off to a slow start, which was “not good enough really” at this end of the competition.
“But the girls played well in the third quarter and finished strongly,” she said.
“They eventually got the ball moving down the court smoothly and I was happy with our shooting.
“But Girls’ High were hungrier than us in the first half.
“Looking to this week’s playoff match against them, I want to see more hunger from the start and a more structured game from us.
“We definitely want to nail that fifth spot in the competition.”
Hannah Ormond, at goal attack and goal shoot, was Ngatapa’s player of the day.
“Hannah’s movement in the circle, her timing and her shooting stats were very good.”
Katie Kirkpatrick, at wing defence and centre, also delivered, Faulks said.
Fast and energetic, she always gave her all, which was what they wanted from everyone.
Jo Rickard, at goal keep, had a strong game, too.
“Jo has a great lean on her in the circle and has developed well,” Faulks said.
Girls’ High coach Dianah Foley was happy with her team’s performance.
“They are coming along nicely. They stayed in the game and played really well — that was so good to see.
“When we play Ngatapa again this week, I think the girls can improve again. We are excited.”
Centre Te Mai Ora Olsen-Baker was a standout for them, making crisp passes and showing good control in her game.
Goal attack Maia Cudd shot some lovely goals again, as did goal shoot Aroha Brown.
At the final whistle, amid the applause, one of the high school supporters summed it up: “Well done, Girls’ High!”