Solid netball tussles

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

THE higher seeded teams should emulate the mid-week performances of Whangara Old Girls and YMP tomorrow when the second set of games in the netball premiership get played in the Gisborne YMCA.

But F45 High School Old Girls and Claydens Waikohu 1 will need to be on their game.

The first of the Pak'nSave encounters at 9am will pit High School Old Girls against Horouta Gold.

“In their last outings Horouta Gold have brought their top game,” said netball commentator Sherrill Beale.

“They have showed they can slow their speedier opponents down and use their links to deliver good ball into their shooters.”

Last week, High School Old Girls started this round with their usual speedy play.

“I expect them to do the same tomorrow.

“However, they will need to be wary of Horouta's team play and their ability to stop their opponent's flow.”

Last time the two teams met High School Old Girls won by a single goal – 28-27.

“This should be a competitive game,” Beale said.

At 10.30am Claydens Waikohu 1 take the court against Tapuae from Wairoa.

“Waikohu 1 made uncharacteristic errors last Saturday against Horouta, but I am sure they will have worked on those during the week and will be ready for a speedy game on Saturday,” Beale said.

“Even though they lost in their first premier game last week, Tapuae had some good passages of play where they moved the ball speedily through the court.

“I am expecting this game to be a close contest.

“Both teams have experienced players and their players work well together on attack and defence.”

The courts will be busy from 9am through to 3pm, involving Senior, Secondary, Intermediate and Year 5 and 6 grades.