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NETBALL
RITANA Senior A from Lytton High School claimed a second major scalp in Pak’nSave premier grade netball last night and Whangara Old Girls just held on against a determined Horouta Gold.
The school team added to their impressive record in recent weeks with a comprehensive 51-42 victory over Claydens Waikohu 1 in the second match at the Gisborne YMCA.
Late last month Ritana defeated Whangara 54-46, and pushed Taste One High School Old Girls 55-50 to score a bonus point.
The students led throughout last night and the quarter scores tell the story of their fine performance — 13-10, 27-21, and 39-32.
“It was a closely contested game, with both teams having to work for the ball – especially on the centre pass,” said netball commentator Sherrill Beale.
“By the second quarter Ritana were more settled and played together as a team.
“Their attackers created movement and delivered good ball to their shooters — Keasi Williams-Fonohema and Kiara Swannell.
“Keasi’s confidence is growing each game and she is positioning well to collect the high lob,” Beale said.
“Te Aria Henwood and Georgia Teneti worked tirelessly defending the goal circle and both were out hunting the ball.
“They were backed up by the centre and wing defence and often Waikohu had to pass the ball around several times before getting it into their shooters, Ariz Ruru and Attlee Wainohu.”
Beale said Ritana midcourter Taley-Jade Kemp had a good game.
“She drove on to the goal circle and delivered some great ball to Keasi.
“For Waikohu, Anna Barber at wing defence and then goal defence had a good game.
“She maintained tight marking and made it harder for the students to feed the ball. Anna was hunting the ball and managed to collect several intercepts.”
Ritana coach Claire Campbell was happy with the result.
“The girls played OK last night. But I am still looking for a comprehensive full 60-minute performance from them.
“We could quite possibly still make the top four, it all depends on how the other teams perform.
“So there is still a lot to play for.
“The results that are in our control we are going to take care of,” Campbell said.
In the earlier match last night Whangara Old Girls held off Champers Horouta Gold 42-39.
Horouta scored a bonus point, but after 15 minutes they were probably hoping for better because they led Whangara 14-7.
However, Whangara got back into the game in the second quarter to lead 21-20, then 34-29 at three-quarter time.
“Horouta made the better start but Whangara came out in the second quarter with more intensity and tightened up their defence through the court,” Beale said.
“That forced Horouta into errors and by half time Whangara had pulled back the deficit.”
Beale said the second half was a closer score line, with both teams having the chance to pull ahead.
“Whangara edged ahead and stayed in front for the rest of the game.”
Whangara goal defence Tania Hill had another strong game.
“Tania secured many tips and intercepts and worked well with goal keep Tiara Weir to stop the ball going into the shooters.
“She was also available for the backup passes through the mid court and fed some great ball into the attackers, especially into goal shoot Sandy Porter.
“For Horouta, goal defenders Simmy and Lucretia Taitapanui worked together well and Whangara had to be patient in working the ball into the shooting circle at times.
“Lucretia at goal keep often stopped the high ball going in to Sandy.”