‘Result of season to date’ for Whangara

QUICK HANDS: YMP goal defence Bronya McMenamin grabs the ball before Whangara goal attack Nadia Taare in premier netball on Saturday. Whangara won 36-26.Picture by Paul Rickard

WHANGARA Old Girls pulled off the result of their season to date when they defeated previously unbeaten YMP in premier netball at Victoria Domain on Saturday.

Taste One High School Old Girls remain the only unbeaten premier-grade team in PAK'nSAVE senior netball.

“The sun brought out the best in the players with all three premier games evenly contested,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

YMP got the jump on Whangara in the first 10-minute quarter and led 12-7, but their opponents lifted their game to lead 17-16 at halftime and 25-22 at three-quartertime. At fulltime, Whangara were ahead 36-26.

“It was picked to be the game of the day and it did not disappoint,” Beale said.

“It was a close contest for the whole game, with the ball often going up and down the court through turnovers created by each side. The final 10-goal margin does not reflect the closeness of it.

“Both teams play a similar style of netball — fast, hard-driving to the ball and tight-marking.

“The two centres, Melissa Mackey-Huriwai for Whangara and Ata Mangu for YMP, had a competitive game and worked tirelessly on attack and defence.”

Both those teams have now suffered a loss.

The Horouta Gold team went home happy to have points on the table after their 31-all draw with Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A.

The students led 9-6 after 10 minutes and 17-16 at halftime. Then it was 24-23 to Horouta at three-quartertime.

“Girls' High started the game well and looked like they were focused on taking a win,” Beale said.

“However, in the second quarter Horouta were more patient in working the ball into their shooters. They created space for themselves and pressured the students into errors.

“The last two quarters were practically goal for goal.”

Both teams earned two points for the draw.

In the third premier match, Taste One HSOG defeated Claydens Waikohu 31-26.

The defending champions led throughout — 6-5, 15-12, 23-18 and 31-26.

“This game was very close throughout. Both coaches made changes, but could not shake off the opposition.”

The win means HSOG now sit at the top of the table.

Other results — A Grade: Claydens Waikohu Masters 51 YMP Masters 24; IMS HSOG Masters 25 Tatapouri Sportsfit 18; Horouta Taimana 33 Old Girls Whangara 21; Taiki 35 Gis Fluid and Machinery HSOG 27.

A Reserve: Farmlands Ngatapa 42 Campion Snr A 18; Tapuae 28 Claydens Waikohu (2) 24; Whalis 26 FarmCare HSOG 24; Gis Denture Clinic HSOG 28 YMP TimberPro 24.

First Grade: Thistle Storm 30 Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 29; GGHS Jnr A 50 GGHS Snr B 12; The Stingerz 34 Tyre General Ngatapa 31; OBM Blue 28 Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 21.

First Reserve/Second Grade: Uawa Kahukuraiti 22 Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 20; GGHS TSA 38 YMP Manawanui 14; Ritana Toa 24 Gis Glass Ngatapa 16; Ritana Toa 51 Thistle Phoenix 12; Kotahi Aroha 45 OBM Red Social 28.