Sensational results at the Y

THAT’S MINE: Whangara Old Girls goal defence Tania Hill intercepts the ball before it can get to High School Old Girls goal attack Ashleigh Brown. Whangara won this game 50-48. The teams meet again in the netball grand final at the YMCA tomorrow afternoon. Picture by Paul Rickard

The two premier-grade netball games at the YMCA on Saturday produced sensational performances and results.

Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A and Ritana Senior A from Lytton High School fought out a stunning 61-all draw in the Pak’nSave competition match.

Ritana jumped out to what seemed a commanding 20-12 lead after 15 minutes, and were still up 33-29, then 49-45 at the second and third quarter breaks.

But Girls’ High hung in there and equalised in the final period.

“Ritana made the better start but Girls’ High did not let their heads drop and fought back,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“The last quarter was virtually goal for goal.”

Beale said both teams played a similar game, favouring the high ball into their tall shooters.

“For Girls’ High it was Te Oriwa Tuipulotu doing most of the shooting and for Ritana it was Keasi Williams-Fonohema.

“Ritana made a strong start, with the team working together and letting the ball flow.

“They also worked as a team on defence and Girls’ High had to work the ball around looking for the space to open up.

“Near the end of the second quarter, Girls’ High’s attacks were more settled. The ball moved more readily into their shooters and the score was brought back to a four-goal margin.”

Beale said both teams increased their pressure on the ball-carrier in the third quarter and errors crept in.

“They were stepping, dropping the ball, playing out of court.

“The last five minutes of the game proved intense, with all players doing their part.

“It is hard to mention specific players because they all worked well and both teams deserved the win, but had to settle for a draw.”

Whangara Old Girls came out on top of the other match by a narrow margin.

They beat Taste One High School Old Girls 50-48 after HSOG led for three-quarters of the match — 16-11, 26-23, 38-37.

“This was a close game that could have gone either way, with both teams giving a very good display of netball skills,” Beale said.

“High School Old Girls made the better start. Their strong defence on the ball-carrier caused problems for Whangara and created several turnovers.

“Whangara were more settled at the start of the second quarter, when they slowed their movement down and were more deliberate in passing and creating space.”

Whangara made up the deficit, while HSOG took five minutes to score a goal.

“Again, it is hard to mention specific players as they all worked hard.

“Both teams’ goal circle defenders worked together well and created many turnovers — for Whangara, Tiara Weir and Tania Hill, and for HSOG, Arna Majstrovic and Sarah Cox.

“Tiara (Whangara) and Arna (HSOG)were able to stop several high balls into the shooters.

“Again, the last quarter was virtually goal for goal.”

The results have not altered the order on the premier points table but have tightened up the contest for second and third.

YMP Sunshine Brewery remain on top with 36 points, HSOG picked up a bonus point to go to 30, Whangara are now on 28, Waikohu remain on 22, Ritana have 15, Girls’ High have 9 and Champers Horouta have 7.