Semifinal tonight too close to call

Aiming high: Miriata Callaghan of Whangara Old Girls reaches for the ball in this file picture. Whangara won a close match last time they met High School Old Girls. Pictures by Paul Rickard

A spot in next Wednesday's preliminary final is at stake when Whangara Old Girls play High School Old Girls tonight in a match that is too close to call.

Whangara go into their 7.30pm match at the YMCA knowing they had the better of F45 HSOG last time out.

But that counts for little because only a few goals separated them last time, and tonight it's playoffs time and anything can happen.

“These teams had a very competitive game last week, with Whangara slipping through by just three goals,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“Spectators were entertained by some very good skills from both teams, and I am expecting similar fare tonight.”

Beale predicts that supporters will fill the YMCA to cheer their teams on.

“This is a semifinal and the teams will want the win to move through to the preliminary final, to be held a week today,” Beale said.

“This will be another close game from two teams who like to move the ball at speed.”

The coaching ability of Whangara Old Girl's Ronnie Martin, and her ability to manage her players to best advantage, may be the telling factor tonight.

The first match this evening pits Horouta Gold against Gillies Electrical Gisborne Girls' High School at 6pm.

The sudden-death encounter will see the losers bow out of the competition for the season, while the winners live on for another match in the playoff series.

“It was close between them when Horouta and the students last met,” Beale said.

“It was only in the last quarter of that match that Horouta Gold were steadier and pressured the students into errors, which they capitalised on and pulled ahead to take the win by six goals.

“But as with the second game tonight, this is now semifinals time.”

The winner tonight plays in the elimination semifinals to be held next Saturday.

“I am expecting this to be another close game between these two teams.”

As with the Whangara-HSOG clash, supporters for both teams will be out in force no doubt to encourage their teams.