Top four decided for semifinals

HIGH BALL: Gisborne Girls’ High School’s Peyton Riri (left) and Ritana goal defence Piper Donaldson contest possession at the Victoria Domain netball courts. Ritana won 25-23. Picture by Paul Rickard

The top four teams in premier-grade netball were decided on Saturday. Whangara will play Waikohu, and YMP will play High School Old Girls to decide the championship finalists.

Netballers in the PAK'nSAVE competition got a decent crack at their games at Victoria Domain as rain cleared before play started in their final round-robin games.

Whangara Old Girls locked up the top spot on the premier table with their 41-21 defeat of Horouta Gold.

“An annoying wind affected play and so we didn't see the usual Whangara hard driving play through court,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“But even though they were guilty of a few wayward passes, they were strong as a team on defence, pressured Horouta and led for the whole game.”

Ritana Senior A earned bragging rights in the much-anticipated inter-school match-up, and they edged Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A 25-23.

Girls' High led after 10 minutes 6-4, but the Lytton team led 12-11 at halftime and 20-14 at three-quarter time.

“That's the same score as last time those two teams met, except the winners' title changed schools,” Beale said.

“Both teams' defences had strong games and created many turnovers.

“However, Ritana were more patient in working the ball in to their shooters and outscored Girls' High in the second and third quarters.

“Girls' High made changes in the final quarter and looked more determined to pull back the deficit, but Ritana withstood the pressure to take the win.”

The predicted match of the day lived up to expectations.

Taste One HSOG and YMP Sunshine Brewery turned on a hard-fought contest.

YMP led early 8-6, then 15-13 at halftime, before HSOG pulled up into the lead by a goal at three-quartertime.

They went on to win 28-22.

“It was a close game; both teams displayed great netball skills,” Beale said.

“In an interesting twist, the HSOG shooter Lisa Basford limped off the court a minute into the third quarter and midcourter Courtney Stubbins stepped into her position.

“The loss of the speedy goal attack (Basford) seemed to inspire the HSOG players to step up with more intensity in their play,” Beale said.

“They created tips and turnovers that enabled them to slowly pull ahead,” she said.

“This sets us up for another competitive game next week, in the semifinals, where they will play each other again.”

In the final premier match, Claydens Waikohu (1) outplayed Girls' High Senior A 41-33 in the students' second game of the day.

“It was a close game, despite the final scoreline, especially in the first half when the students worked together well,” Beale said.

“They pulled back a two-goal deficit to lead by a goal at halftime.

“However, Waikohu made some changes and looked more settled in the second half. They worked together on attack and defence throughout the court and slowly edged ahead.”

The final premier points before the playoffs: Whangara 44, YMP 36, HSOG 36, Waikohu 27, GGHS Snr A 16, Ritana Snr A 13, Horouta 3.

In next week's semifinals for premiers, Whangara play Waikohu and YMP play HSOG to decide the finalists. GGHS Snr A play Horouta for fifth spot, Ritana Snr A play Horouta for sixth.”

Taiki 31 Gis Fluid and Machinery HSOG 24, Claydens Waikohu Masters 58 IMS HSOG Masters 22, Tatapouri Sportsfit 24 Horouta Taimana 13, Old Girls Whangara 32 YMP Masters 28.

FarmCare HSOG 21 YMP TimberPro 21, Gis Denture Clinic HSOG 30 Claydens Waikohu (2) 28, Whalis 31 Campion Snr A 19, Whalis 41 Gis Denture Clinic HSOG 27, Tapuae 39 Farmlands Ngatapa 31.

Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 22 Tyre General Ngatapa 19, Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 26 Thistle Storm 20, GGHS Snr B 39 The Stingerz 15, GGHS Jnr A 41 OBM Blue 22.

Ritana Toa 28 Uawa Kahukuraiti 18, Gis Glass Ngatapa 26 Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 19, YMP Manawanui 30 OBM Red Social 16, Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 30 GGHS TSA 13, Kotahi Aroha 29 Thistle Phoenix 14.