Premier teams on their marks

AIRBORNE: Gisborne Girls’ High School centre Waimarie Wharerau (left) tries to intercept a pass in to Ritana centre Huntin Hooper in a grading game this year. The school sides meet again at the YMCA tomorrow morning.Picture by Paul Rickard

Competition proper starts in Pak’nSave Gisborne netball at the YMCA tonight with the first two premier games in the second round of the season.

The form book should tell the story in both matches.

Claydens Waikohu and Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A play the first match of the premier grade championship. It starts at 6pm.

From tonight the matches will be played over 60 minutes as opposed to the shorter grading format.

“Girls’ High have a small advantage, having already played two 60-minute games,” centre manager Allisa Hall said.

“That extra amount of time was certainly a factor in the challenge matches on Wednesday and Saturday last week.

“The students look like they have improved in the past week or two, but Waikohu have had a strong start to the season.

“It will be a tough match-up for the students.”

Waikohu coach Cheryl Te Rito said tonight would be the first time since the start of grading that she had her whole team available.

“The girls are going very well,” she said.

“They’re keen to get started.

“I think Girls’ High will give us a good game. They have been getting better every time I’ve seen them play.

“We are taking our season one game at a time.”

In the 7.30pm game, Taste One High School Old Girls take on Champers Motor Lodge Horouta Gold.

“HSOG finished on top of the table after grading, and have been showing some good form,” Hall said.

“It will be a big ask for Horouta to step up from playing teams at the top of A Grade, to playing the top of premier grade.

“But Horouta did play well against both Horouta Taimana and IMS HSOG Masters in the challenge round.”

HSOG coach Tanya Owen said her team would not take Horouta lightly.

“Horouta play with a lot of smarts,” she said.

“They are crafty with the ball and they have a nice young defensive duo.

“My girls have set some targets they want to achieve as the season goes along.

“We will look to tick off some of those targets tonight.”