“It was a very competitive game that could have gone either way,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.
“Both teams play a similar game and there were some tight match-ups through the court.”
In fact, the teams had played over two minutes before the first goal was netted, Beale said.
Both teams had the chance to pull away but they were pulled back and kept to a two-goal margin for most of the game.
“Halfway through the last quarter, Whangara pulled away to a four-goal lead – 41-37,” she said.
“However, with three minutes to go HSOG increased their intensity to bring the score back to 42-all, and then it was goal for goal, with neither team giving a centimetre.”
HSOG skipper Alex Sinclair returned from injury on Saturday and played a great game.
“It felt really good to win this game,” Sinclair said.
“Whangara really brought it to us, but after two losses we were hungry for the win.
“We needed a full team effort to do it, and fortunately for the first time in ages we had a full team to do it.”
She picked out goal keep Kelly Wood as player of the day for them.
“Kelly hussled for everything.”
Whangara Old Girls coach Ronnie Martin said it was a great game.
“It was so close, and we did have the lead, which we should have held on to, but unfortunately we didn't.”
In the other match on Saturday morning, YMP Sunshine Brewery beat Tapuae from Wairoa 56-31.
YMP led all the way — 16-8, 29-19, 44-26.
“It was a competitive first half, with both teams working the ball into the goal circle well, by players doing pre-movement, running on to the passes and setting up play around the goal circle,” Beale said.
“YMP Sunshine Brewery were up by 10 goals at halftime, but it felt closer than that.
“In the second half, YMP's defence forced Tapuae into playing the ball around and back to the transverse line, which resulted in errors.
‘”YMP's attackers were quick to these tipped and loose balls, which were delivered into their shooters and the scoreline pulled out.”
For YMP, goal defence Bronya McMenamin made some timely intercepts and took some strong rebounds to create turnovers, Beale said.
For Tapuae, centre Lyric Wesche stood out.
“She linked both ends well, always backing up, and fed some well-directed ball in to her shooters.”
Premier points, with all teams having a game to go before the end of the round: YMP 24, Claydens Waikohu (1) 20, HSOG 17, Whangara Old Girls 16, Horouta Gold 10, Tapuae 9, Gillies Electrical GGHS Snr A 6, Waikohu (3) 3.
Other results — Premier Reserve: Tatapouri Sportsfit 27 YMP Masters 23, Horouta Taimana 28 Crosscutters OG Whangara 19, Ritana Snr A 27 Farmlands Ngatapa 23.
A Grade: FarmCare HSOG 34 Pharmacy 53 Campion Snr A 26, McLeods Concrete HSOG 32 YMP (2) 26, Waikohu (2) 31 Taiki 19.
A Reserve: NZHL Thistle Storm 28 Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) 20, Whalis 30 GGHS Snr B 19, Steve Craill Ngatapa 18 GGHS Jnr A 17.
First Grade: GGHS Korihi 33 Wahine Hauora HSOG 16, Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 42 Tyre General Ngatapa 27, OBM Blue 42 Gis Glass Ngatapa 16.
First Reserve: Zeafruit Ngatapa 25 Uawa Kahukuraiti 18, Kotahi Aroha 34 Uawa Kahukuraiti 31, Waikohu (4) 27 Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 20.
Second Grade: YMP Manawanui 29 ALH Thistle Phoenix 17, OBM Red Social 31 GGHS TSA 9.
The secondary A and B and intermediate A grades played their semifinals and the seniors (except premier) started Round 3.
