Top four make strong grading starts

GRADING ACTION: Whangara Old Girls goal attack Maiangi Mackey gathers the ball and looks to pass as Gisborne Girls’ High School goal defence Humaria Higgins keeps tabs on her. Picture by Paul Rickard

NETBALL

YMP, Waikohu, Whangara and High School Old Girls made strong starts to their Pak’nSave premier grade netball seasons on Saturday with solid wins in the first round of grading.

It was the start of competition for the senior, secondary and intermediate grades.

“In the premier grade the top four seeded teams had wins against the lower-seeded teams,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

Whangara Old Girls defeated Gisborne Girls’ High Senior A 36-26 (8-8, 18-15, 23-19 through the quarters).

“This game was evenly contested, with both teams having their chances to pull ahead,” Beale said.

“Whangara were the more consistent in the second half and took the win by 10.”

Whangara shooters Nadia Taare and Sandy Porter have both moved to the Old Girls Whangara team in the A Grade.

YMP Sunshine Brewery beat Horouta Gold 29-17 (10-4, 18-7, 24-11).

“Defending champions YMP have kept some of last year’s team and were too strong for Horouta Gold,” Beale said.

“They have strength and experience in each area, with Paku-Jane Skudder shooting, Bronya McMenamin in defence and Renee Wikaire mid-court.”

Claydens Waikohu beat Girls’ High Snr A 46-24 (9-8, 22-13, 37-17).

'Waikohu started the season well . . .'“Waikohu started the season well and made good use of their bench,” Beale said.

“They pulled ahead in the second quarter and remained in control for the rest of the game.

“Like YMP, they have strength and experience in all areas . . . Ariz Ruru shooting, Ruby Tuapawa in defence and Marie Ruru in midcourt.”

Taste One High School Old Girls had two good wins — 41-22 against Horouta Gold (9-6, 17-11, 27-16) and 30-16 against Ritana Snr A (6/9, 13/11, 24/11).

“HSOG have a good mix of new and returning players,” Beale said.

“They are another team to start the season well and make good use of their bench.

“Ashleigh Brown stood out in the shooting circle, Katie Kirkpatrick and Courtney Stubbins were both speedy in midcourt, and defenders Kelly Swann-Ferris and Sarah Cox stood out.

“And with their new players, HSOG are looking strong.”

Other results — A Grade: Horouta Taimana 40 Whalis 33. Tatapouri Sportsfit 30 Nina’s Kitchen HSOG 24. IMS HSOG Masters 24 Uawa Hinematioro 15. Old Girls Whangara 43 Taiki 30. Nina’s Kitchen HSOG 37 Campion Snr A 26. Tatapouri Sportsfit 38 Horouta Taimana 35. Old Girls Whangara 29 Uawa Hinematioro 24. Taiki 30 IMS HSOG Masters 29. Whalis 44 Campion Snr A 37.

A Reserve: YMP Masters 26 YMP 2 21. Horouta Hiriwa 28 OBM Blue 25. Claydens Waikohu 2 37 GGHS Snr 2 18. Claydens Waikohu Masters 43 Farmlands Ngatapa 9. YMP Masters 44 Horouta Hiriwa 17. YMP 2 30 OBM Blue 22. Claydens Waikohu 2 37 Claydens Waikohu Masters 31. GGHS 2 20 Farmlands Ngatapa 18.

First Grade: FarmCare HSOG 22 Gis Denture Clinic HSOG 15. Whatatutu 21 Lytton Snr B 15. Lytton Snr B 21 Gis Denture Clinic HSOG 17. Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 31 Gis Glass Ngatapa 27.

First Reserve: GGHS Jnr A 27 Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 22. Steve Craill Ngatapa 23 Kotahi Aroha 20. Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 31 Steve Craill Ngatapa 12. Thistle Storm 49 YMP Manawanui 18.

Second Grade: GGHS 3 23 Puawai Tuturu 13. OBM Red Social 18 Uawa Iranui 18. Sportsfit Magnolia 27 Thistle Phoenix 17. Uawa Iranui 23 GGHS 3 18.

Secondary and intermediate teams each played two grading games on Saturday and have two more weeks of grading before they start their competition games.