Road to the final

Whangara Old Girls shooter Tiara Weir grabs the ball under pressure from YMP (1) defender Keasi Fonohema in a Premier Grade netball game in the YMCA. Reigning champions YMP are into Saturday’s grand final. Their opponents were decided last night. Picture by Paul Rickard

The Gisborne Pak’nSave senior netball  season culminates this Saturday with finals across all grades to decide the 2023 champions. Whangara Old Girls and Claydens Waikohu (1) fought it out last night in the YMCA to decide who will join Turanga FM YMP (1) in Saturday’s Premier Grade final. That match was still to be played when The Herald went to print, but Gisborne Netball Centre Manager Allisa Hall has compiled a comprehensive look at the road to the final for all grades.

PREMIER: We were treated to a great semifinal between Turanga FM YMP and Whangara OG (1) in the YMCA last Wednesday.

The match was close for the entire 60 minutes, with YMP taking the honours 48-45 to advance directly to the final this Saturday (1pm in the YMCA).

Claydens Waikohu (1) and Horouta Koura faced off in the second of the Premier semis on Saturday, with Waikohu building throughout the game to win 59-46.

Whangara and Waikohu met in the preliminary final last night.

Winners of this match earned the remaining spot in the final.

YMP have been a dominant force in the Premier Grade. Over the last 10 years they have featured in the final seven times, five of those as winners, which is a remarkable record.

Premier Reserve: Winners receive the Tina Karaitiana Cup; runners-up the Jaymee Watson Memorial Cup.

The Prem Reserve final will see Down to Earth OG Whangara play Horouta Taimana.

This is the third year of this grade, and Horouta have the potential to be the first club to etch their name into the Tina Karaitiana Cup for the second time.

Whangara will make it a tough battle after an unbeaten round before Prem Reserve and A Grade split last week.

When these teams last met, Whangara took the honours by eight goals, so expect another close match- up.

The game is on court 2 at Victoria Domain at 11am.

A Grade: Winners receive the Stoneham Cup (established 1922); runners-up the Shirley Smith Cup.

It took until the last game of the round to secure the fourth position to make the semifinals for Gisborne Girls’ High Senior B, but their determination since being promoted from A Reserve showed anything can happen once you get to finals round.

The girls defeated top seeds HSOG in their semi to secure the first finals spot, where they will meet The Tav Sportsfit, who defeated YMP Masters to earn the other final berth.

Last time these teams played each other it was a one-goal thriller, so we are gearing up for another exciting final for A Grade.

This game is on court 1 at 11am.

A Reserve: Winners receive the Pat Tamatea Cup; runners-up the Toni-Lea Leach Memorial Cup.

In an exciting match-up, A Reserve will be a battle of the school teams.

YMP Hine Taiohi Whakato have had an unbeaten run through rounds 2 and 3, so will go into the final as favourites. However, Gisborne Girls’ High Jnr A have shown so much growth over the season.

After playing for potential relegation in the Challenge Round, the team have built steadily over the last few months — evident in their results against Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa (Round 2 - lost 35-20; Round 3 - drew 31-all; semifinals - won 29-23).

This should be another fantastic match-up on court 2 at 10am.

1st Grade: Winners receive the Tait Family Cup; runners-up the PB Umpires Cup.

Claydens Waikohu (4) have had a stellar competition round after being promoted from the Challenge Round, and had the biggest of the semi scorelines.

They meet Brendan Fry Builder Sportsfit OG in the final.

The teams have shared a win each during rounds 2 and 3, so the final is shaping up to be a great encounter.

The final is at 10am on court 1.

1st Reserve: Winners receive the Umpires 50th Jubilee Cup; runners-up the Irving Cup.

Allwood Enterprises HSOG meet Whatatutu in the 1st Reserve final after both had good wins in their semis.

These two teams have had a win each in their clashes in rounds 2 and 3, so the final will be another exciting match-up.

The game is at 11am on court 5.

2nd Grade: Winners receive the PB Teachers Cup; runners-up the Sally Walters Cup.

Horouta Kohatu had a dominant semi to book their spot in the 2nd Grade final.

Tatapouri Sportsfit Social were another team who took until the last game of the round to secure their spot in the semis, and played steadily against YMP Manawanui to win by three goals.

The final is at 10am on court 5.

Whangara Old Girls advanced to the Premier Grade final with a 48-47 victory over Claydens Waikohu (1) in a knockout semifinal at the YMCA last night.