‘Slick’ YMP take the points

Close quarters: Robin Te Rito of YMP and Sydney Rore of Waikohu tussle for the ball on Saturday. Fans were on the edge of their seats as the lead changed several times during the course of the game. Picture by Paul Rickard

YMP moved to the top of the premier netball points table on Saturday on the back of a slick team performance and victory over Waikohu at the YMCA.

YMP Sunshine Brewery share the top spot with F45 High School Old Girls.

The other match saw newly promoted Tapuae from Wairoa sneak through by a goal to record their first win in the premier grade.

YMP won their clash with Claydens Waikohu 63-36, leading all the way — 13-9, 32-17 and 46-29.

“The winners produced some great netball right from the first whistle,” said netball commentator Sherrill Beale.

“For the full hour all the YMP players worked together throughout the court and the pressure from the sea of players created errors from Waikohu.”

YMP were rampant at the start of the second quarter and in five minutes they had scored 11 goals while also preventing Waikohu from scoring, she said.

“Waikohu's coaches made changes at halftime and the third quarter was a little closer (YMP 14 Waikohu 12) but the last quarter was dominated by YMP again.

“They have regained their links and are looking towards that champion spot again.”

In the other premier match Tapuae nudged Horouta Gold 52-51.

The quarter scored illustrated how close the game was throughout. Tapuae led 14-11, then Horouta led 28-23 at halftime, and it was 38-all at three-quartertime.

“It was a close contest with both teams having their chances to pull away, but they took turns to dig deep and pull back the deficit,” Beale said.

“Horouta had a very good second quarter where the team worked together, using speed and steadier options at different times, to pull back a three-goal deficit.

“In the third quarter, Tapuae bounced back in a similar fashion. They used a variety of play and worked the ball intelligently into their shooters to draw level.

“The last quarter was virtually goal for goal, with the respective supporters urging their players on,” Beale said

“Halfway through it Tapuae pulled ahead by two goals and were even four goals ahead a couple of minutes later.

“Then there was a surge by Horouta to pull it back, but Tapuae kept calm and managed to keep ahead to the final whistle.

“Tapuae will be pleased with the win as it has pushed them into fifth spot on the table.”

Other results —

Premier Reserve: Ritana Snr A 27 Crosscutters OG Whangara 25, YMP Masters 31 Tatapouri Sportsfit 30, Horouta Taimana 35 Farmlands Ngatapa 31.

A Grade: Claydens Waikohu (2) 37 Campion Snr A 35, Taiki 31 YMP (2) 23, FarmCare HSOG 39 McLeods Concrete HSOG 33.

A Reserve: Whalis 39 GGHS Jnr A 20, NZHL Thistle Storm 32 Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) 30, Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 35 GGHS Snr B 27.

1st Grade: OBM Blue 34 Gis Glass Ngatapa 32, Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 27 Tyre General Ngatapa 25, Wahine Hauora HSOG 31 GGHS Korihi 27.

1st Reserve: Kotahi Aroha 33 Uawa Kahukuraiti 26, Claydens Waikohu (4) 26 Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 22.

2nd Grade: YMP Manawanui 35 GGHS TSA 13, OBM Red Social 22 XLR8 18.

“There were some close competitive games in the senior grades below premier — 16 games with six producing bonus point losses and four more within five goals,” Beale said.

The mid-week netball at the YMCA features Claydens Waikohu (1) against F45 High School Old Girls, and Whangara OG (1) against YMP Sunshine Brewery.