Students ace Ngatapa test; YMP juggernaut rolls on

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

Defending champions YMP and Gisborne Girls High enjoyed clearcut victories in Premier Grade netball at the YMCA on Wednesday night.

After racking up a 15-2 lead in the first quarter, GGHS Senior A defeated Farmlands Ngatapa 57-20.

Turanga FM YMP continued their unbeaten run in 2023 with a 54-40 win over  Claydens Waikohu (1).

The students worked together impressively in all areas of the court for the full hour.

Their “invisible” links are developing well, with each player running on to the ball, delivering strong passes and being available for back-up passes.

On defence, they worked as one across the court and pressured the ball carrier into making errors.

Ngatapa struggled to get the ball through the court, resulting in several held ball calls and wayward passes.

It is hard to single players out as all GGHS players did their part in a good win.

However, defenders Joaquina Kaa and Piper Glass-Donaldson, were instrumental in many turnovers.

Ngatapa made various changes but to no avail in what was a tough game for the Premier newcomers.

YMP led through all quarters against Waikohu — 16-10, 29-17 and 39-31.

It was a close contest early on as both teams worked the ball well to their shooters and went goal for goal.

But towards the end of the quarter, YMP pressure started to affect Waikohu’s ball carriers, who made some wayward passes, which YMP were quick to capitalise on and punish.

As they built a lead, YMP’s confidence grew. Players positioned themselves well and used their speed and long passing to move the ball quickly through the court and into their shooters.

Tight defence prevented any flow for Waikohu and errors crept in as they were forced to pass the ball back and forth in an effort to find a way through.

YMP’ defenders Bronya McMenamin and Keasi Fonohema were a wall in the circle, making it hard work for Waikohu to get ball to their shooters.

Waikohu made changes and after trailing  by 12 at halftime won the third quarter to reduce the deficit by eight, but this was YMP’s game and they snuffed out any further inroads in the final 15 minutes.

As the first points round comes to an end, YMP (1) are out on their own at the top of the table on a maximum 24 points.

There is a logjam behind them, with Whangara on 13 and Waikohu, Girls’ High and Horouta all on 12.

Premier action continues at the Y tomorrow with two games.

The first pits Waikohu against Horouta Koura at 9am.

Over the last couple of weeks, second-placed Waikohu have played higher-placed teams while fifth-placed Horouta have met sides at the lower end.

In their last meeting, Horouta won by two goals, so this could be another close game.

Whangara Old Girls (1) play Character Roofing YMP (2) at 10.30am.

Whangara have been playing good netball to be  sitting near the top of the table.

YMP (2) have settled well since being promoted to Premier Grade and have displayed some good skills.

But they will need the whole team working together for the full hour, especially after Whangara’s performance last week when beaten by a goal by YMP (1).

Over at the Victoria Domain courts, all other grades will be playing from 9am to 2.45pm.