More challenging, more competitive

TIGHTER GAMES: Gisborne Girls’ High School’s Judeah Phillips holds the ball away from Te Uarangi Olsen-Baker of Whangara Old Girls in grading action last weekend. In the second week of grading, the top four and bottom three teams have games that should be more even. Picture by Paul Rickard

NETBALL

THE four unbeaten teams in Pak’nSave premier grade netball grading face their first real tests tomorrow and the bottom three teams have the chance of more evenly matched competition.

Defending champions Sunshine Brewery YMP, Claydens Waikohu, Whangara Old Girls and Taste One High School Old Girls sailed through their opening games last weekend.

Tomorrow, though, looms as a greater challenge.

Waikohu and Whangara begin the day’s premier play at 10.25am.

Based on last week’s results, where Waikohu demolished Gisborne Girls’ High Senior A by 22 goals and Whangara beat the students by 10, Waikohu would appear to have the inside running.

“I think you would have to look at Waikohu there,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“They have retained most of their players from 2018 and look the more settled side.

“Waikohu coach Cheryl Te Rito has a deeper bench and has been using it well, while Whangara are rebuilding.”

YMP Sunshine Brewery looked strong against Horouta Gold last week and should be too strong for the Girls’ High outfit, also at 10.25am.

“Girls’ High will develop well; they have some good players,” Beale said.

“They just need more time to gel.”

An even contest loomsAn even contest looms when Ritana Senior A take the Victoria Domain court against Horouta Gold at 11.35am.

“It’s hard to predict the outcome in that game,” Beale said.

“Both sides are still finding their feet.

“They both have new players on court, and the combinations are still in a developmental stage.

“I would expect it to be a nice close game.”

Taste One High School Old Girls, with two good wins under their belts last weekend, meet Waikohu at 12.35pm in what will probably be the game of the day.

“I certainly think HSOG are looking strong,” Beale said.

“They have a good mix of last year’s line-up and new players, but then you could say the same thing about their opponents.

“Waikohu have some new faces out there, too, along with their 2018 talent.

“That will be a good game for sure.”

YMP and Whangara match up at the same time, in another worthy contest.

“I think the way YMP played last weekend, they will be too strong for Whangara at this early stage of the season,” Beale said.

The premier programme ends at 1.35pm with Girls’ High playing Horouta, in what should be another even contest.

“That will be close,” Beale said.

“It’s another hard one to pick either way.

“It depends on what the Girls’ High team bring to the game.”

A total of 88 games will be played on the domain courts tomorrow across the senior, secondary and intermediate grades.

“It is good see everyone back on the courts,” Beale said.

“Our intermediate and secondary grade numbers are up on last year, which is a very good sign for netball in Gisborne.”

The first games tomorrow get under way at 8.40am.