Premier grade netball grand final

GRAND FINAL INBOUND: YMP defenders Keasi Fonohema (front) and Bronya McMenaman will be in action against Waikohu in the final tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

One team have been there, done that.

The other are searching for their first title.

And whoever hoists the trophy after tomorrow's Pak'nSave premier grade grand final will depend on who best connects through the court and nails their shooting chances. The battle between YMP (1) and Claydens Waikohu (1) starts at 1.30pm tomorrow in what will surely be a packed-out Gisborne YMCA stadium.

Waikohu advanced directly to the final with a thrilling 1 v 2 semifinal win over YMP last week.

YMP got there by beating Gillies Electrical Gisborne Girls' High in a sudden-death playoff on Wednesday night.

Tomorrow's final should be a close, competitive game to fittingly finish the season.

YMP won all three games between the sides prior to the semifinal.

Both teams played well on attack and offence in a tit-for-tat tense battle but Waikohu had the last say and won it by a goal.

This is Waikohu's first time in the final and they have had 10 days to digest the excitement and ready themselves.

YMP have been in nine finals and have won five — the last of those in 2020.

However, history matters little on the day and both teams know this is simply another challenge.

They will be prepared for a hard, fast game requiring all their skills.

Waikohu co-coach Cheryl Te Rito summed it up in one word . . . “hard”.

“It will be nothing like the semifinal last week but we will put 100 percent into it and do our best.”

Her girls were still on a high of making the final for the first time, she said.

“They are all looking forward to it but we are under no illusions about how tough it's going to be.”

YMP coach Ingrid Brown expects an intense final.

“We know it will be a tough battle.

“Our team need to be ready, sharp and hungry to play a full 60 minutes,” Brown said.

“Our squad has solid connections on and off the court with strong leadership at both ends of the court in Bronya McMenamin (defence) and Paku-Jane Skudder (shooting).

“It will be all about doing our job and doing it well, benefiting from any turnovers and keeping cool, calm and collected.”

And all of this no doubt in front of a full-force turnout of supporters for both contenders.

Waikohu: Arahia Tuhua, Princess Tomoana, Ashleigh Brown, Aarika Ruru, Jessica Ruru, Aroha Brown, Ritihia Kingi, Atli Wainohu, Humaria Higgins, Karen Matiaha, Naomi Alovili.

YMP: Paku-Jane Skudder, Jayda Banks, Grace Tahuri, Anatea Taituha, Lyric Wesche, Maia Rickard, Sydney Rore, Tia Akurangi, Bronya McMenamin, Keasi Fonohema.

The Victoria Domain courts will feature action aplenty tomorrow morning as senior grades do battle to decide their champions.

Play will be over two rounds of three games at 9.30am and 10.30am.

Prizegiving will follow the end of the 10.30am round.