Night of contrasts

Looking ahead: Whangara Old Girls Torepe Taumaunu attempts to defend Waikohu's Princess Tomoana as she moves the ball down court. YMP 1 won over Whangara Old Girls 65-37 followed by Waikohu claiming the win from HSOG 62-55 at the YMCA last night. Picture by Paul Rickard

TWO contrasting games played out in Gisborne premier netball at the YMCA last night.

In one, the margin was huge. In the other, it was close until the final stages.

YMP (1) completely outplayed Whangara Old Girls (1) to win 65-37 in the first of the Pak'nSave competition matches.

In the second game, Claydens Waikohu (1) had to fight hard to take the points with a 62-55 victory over F45 High School Old Girls.

The quarter scores told the story of YMP's domination in their game against Whangara. They led 13-7, 31-17 and 47-26.

“YMP started the match strongly and did not relent,” Gisborne Netball Centre manager Allisa Hall said.

“They built on their early lead over the full match.

“Strong defence from Bronya McMenamin and Keasi Fonohema-Williams made it tough on the Whangara shooters, while the YMP attack moved the ball through the court efficiently to their shooters.”

A dominant second quarter led to a large lead that enabled YMP to rotate players and put them in different positions.

“The change of putting Keasi into the shooting circle did not break their flow, and YMP controlled each quarter,” Hall said.

The second match was a clear contrast in terms of the intensity of the contest.

Waikohu had a real battle against F45 HSOG.

After the first quarter of an hour, HSOG led 13-12, but Waikohu had their noses in front 29-28 at halftime.

They still had a marginal lead at three-quartertime, 44-42, and in the home stretch managed to ease the final score out to 62-55.

“This match was close for most of the 60 minutes,” Hall said.

“In the first quarter, Waikohu led initially but HSOG pulled it back to go into the first break a goal ahead.

“The second quarter was much the same, with the lead changing a couple of times before Waikohu kept control and went into the halftime break up by a goal.

“Both teams put on displays of beautiful shooting.”

When HSOG goal attack Peyton Riri was injured, Lauren Bennett took over and formed a great combination with Marcia Beale, Hall said.

“Waikohu shooters Ashleigh Brown and Princess Tomoana slotted long shots at goal despite dogged defence by Alex Sinclair and Arna Majstrovic,” she said.

That helped Waikohu extend their lead to five goals before HSOG clawed it back to two in time for the third-quarter break.

“The last quarter went goal for goal for the first 10 minutes before Waikohu put their foot down and pulled away,” Hall said.

The seven-goal win meant High School Old Girls were denied a bonus point.

In the next premier match at the YMCA, JT Contractors Horouta Gold will play Gillies Electrical Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A.

' The Gisborne under-18 reps played twice in their tournament yesterday and had tough losses to Marlborough (37-18) and Whanganui (28-21).

Gisborne have been seeded into the playoffs for 29th to 32nd place at the Netball NZ Under-18 Champs (out of 38 teams).

They were to face Pukekohe first today with the result determining which final they contest — 29/30 or 31/32.