Set for grading finale thriller

COMING THROUGH: Whangara Old Girls goal defence Tania Adamson in disruptive mode on Horouta Gold goal attack Lexi Rutene as wing defence Materoa Poi gets in the way of Riria Franklin. Whangara face YMP to end the premier grading games stage tomorrow while Horouta meet Ritana Senior A. Picture by Paul Rickard

The premier clash between unbeaten Whangara Old Girls and YMP is shaping up as the game of the day in the final round of Gisborne Pak’nSave senior netball grading tomorrow at Victoria Domain.

YMP Sunshine Brewery have lost to Claydens Waikohu 1 and F45 High School Old Girls in the past fortnight and will be hungry to get back on winning track.

“I am expecting YMP Sunshine Brewery to come out firing and be determined to take this win,” long-time netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“There are some good match-ups throughout the court and I am expecting a close contest.”

YMP have been without key players in their past two encounters but coach Ingrid Brown said she expected to have a full squad this weekend.

“That will be a good starting point for us against Whangara. Our games are always close and I think there will be quality netball played.”

Whangara coach Ronnie Martin echoed that.

“We’ve got a couple of players missing but we’re in a good position ahead of the challenge round, so there’s no pressure.

“This will be a good test of where we are at this season. The girls are looking forward to it.”

Whangara are top of the standings heading into the 1pm game which will round off the premier grading.

Premier games start at 10am tomorrow with Horouta Gold up against Ritana Senior A.

“Horouta Gold have had close games in the last two weeks and earned a bonus point for their one-goal loss to High School Old Girls last Saturday,” Beale said.

“Their confidence must have grown and they will be determined to take this one against the students.

“The students from Lytton High (Ritana) are in a rebuilding phase, but each week their links are showing improvement.

“However, they will need to bring their top game and all players will have to work together.”

High School Old Girls play Gillies Electrical Gisborne Girls’ High Senior A at 11am.

“HSOG recorded two wins last weekend and sit third on the ladder behind Whangara and Waikohu,” Beale said.

“They made a great start to their first game (against YMP) last week and led all the way, but struggled in their second game against bottom-of-the-grade Horouta Gold.

“They had to come from behind to snatch the win in the dying stages of the last quarter.

“Girls’ High have steadily improved in each outing and their understanding between each other is developing well.”

Beale expects it to be a competitive game.

The midday match-up between Claydens Waikohu 1 and Ritana will be a challenge for the students.

“It will be their second game of the day and they will need a top effort to take the win off a Waikohu team who are playing well and only suffered their first loss of the season (41-31 to Whangara) last weekend.

“The courts were busy last Saturday with the return of primary, intermediate and secondary grades and they will be even busier tomorrow as there were 28 junior teams who didn’t play because they were in the Tamararo (kapa haka) competition.

“They will all be back on the courts on Saturday.

“There were some very good netball skills on display last Saturday and I expect the same today as the teams play their last game of the first round.”

A challenge round will follow and Gisborne Netball Centre will then decide the composition of all grades.