Still a close battle on the netball courts for playoff places

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

NETBALL

WAIKOHU moved to outright fourth on the Pak’nSave premier-grade netball points table last night, but only by two points.

The battle for the fourth playoff spot remains tight.

Claydens Waikohu and Lytton Senior A drew 47-all at the YMCA last night.

“It was a close, competitive game,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“It looked like Waikohu would pull ahead after the first quarter, when they led 15-9.

“But the students came out strongly and pulled some of the deficit back. Then it was virtually goal for goal.

“With five minutes to go, the score was 44-43, so that got all the supporters fired up.”

Waikohu led 26-22 at halftime and 36-32 at three-quartertime.

“Both teams had chances to win,” Beale said.

Waikohu’s Ani Tiko (goal keep) and Ruby Tuapawa (goal defence) worked well.

“Both were out hunting for the ball and secured some good intercepts and rebounds,” Beale said.

“They made Lytton shooters Manaia Hutana and Reremoana Bartlett-Tamatea work for every pass.

“Lytton midcourters Anatea Taituha and Riata Maynard played well and delivered some good ball into the shooters. In the last 10 minutes, Riata used the high lob into Manaia well, which enabled them to score and edge closer to the lead.”

HSOG beat Whangara Old Girls 57-49In last night’s other match, Taste One High School Old Girls beat Whangara Old Girls 57-49. HSOG led throughout — 20-7, 33-22, 44-33 and 57-49.

“Whangara had little surges and were within six goals halfway through the last quarter, but HSOG worked together on defence and pressured them into making errors,” Beale said.

“Both teams play a similar game — hard and fast.

“The difference was HSOG worked together through the court and Whangara had to work hard to stop the ball getting through to HSOG shooters Ashleigh Brown and Lisa Burford, who have developed a good understanding.

“They moved the ball well, with both of them finishing with good goals.

HSOG midcourters Courtney Stubbins, Katie Kirkpatrick and Saffron Eparaina moved well on to the goal circle and fed some good passes into the shooters.

“At the other end, Alex Sinclair (goal keep) was out hunting and secured several good intercepts, and also rebounded well.”

Beale said Whangara tried several changes but could not bridge the gap.

“Tiara Weir at goal keep had a steady game and worked hard to stop the flow of goals.”

HSOG are second on the table behind YMP Sunshine Brewery. Whangara Old Girls remain third.