Ritana playoff hopes live on

MIDCOURT ACTION: Ritana wing attack Reremoana Bartlett-Tamatea takes the ball as Horouta Gold midcourter Ngahuria Akania (centre) tries to intercept in premier-grade netball at the YMCA on Saturday. Picture by Paul Rickard

Ritana Senior A from Lytton High School kept their premier-grade netball playoff hopes alive when they produced a strong team performance to defeat Horouta Gold by 24 goals.

The school team led throughout this Pak’nSave competition game to win 62-38.

They were up 17-14 at the end of the first quarter, 30-22 at halftime and 45-31 at three-quartertime.

“Ritana played as a team again, with their good understanding showing in all areas of the court,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“Champers Horouta Gold had to work hard to get the ball into their shooters.”

Beale said the students worked together on attack and defence.

“They managed to finish off their through-court work with high lobs into Keasi Williams-Fonohema at goal shoot, who scored the majority of the goals.

“Lytton goal attack Kiara Swannell may not have scored many goals, but she worked the goal third well and drew the defence so the attackers had a better chance to deliver the high ball into Keasi.”

Beale said Ritana wing attack Reremoana Bartlett-Tamatea, centre Huntin Hooper and wing defenders Stevie Kerr and Piper Donaldson all worked through the midcourt well and made themselves available.

“Their defenders, Te Aria Henwood at goal keep and Georgia Teneti at goal defence, worked tirelessly for the full hour and Horouta were challenged to try several shooting combinations.”

Horouta Gold were hampered by not having all of their players available, she said.

“Most notable would have to be defender Simmy Taitapanui, who works well with Lucretia Taitapanui.

“They even had former Lytton High player Manaia Hutana playing for them in the second half at goal shoot and wing defence.”

The win moved Ritana along to 19 points, now just three points behind fourth-placed Claydens Waikohu.

The students have one game to go, against Sunshine Brewery.

Based on their recent performances, they still have a slim chance of making the top four.

Ritana coach Claire Campbell was happy with Saturday’s performance.

“Happy that we have achieved our first goal — to win our final two games — and now we look forward to the clash with YMP on Saturday,” she said.

“Our recent results come down to the girls’ motivation to make the top four.

“They are focused on each game and each week we have inched closer to a top-four opportunity.”