Top grade to have eight teams

Fast feet: Waikohu wing attack Aydene Waikato looks for an opening with Syke Swann of Ritana in close attendance. Picture by Paul Rickard

Two teams have been promoted to the Premier Grade of Gisborne netball after grading committee deliberations.

Tapuae and Claydens Waikohu (3) will go from Premier Reserve to Premier Grade following the Challenge Round of games at Victoria Domain on Saturday.

One of last season's Premier Grade teams in the Challenge Round, Horouta Gold, will remain in the top division of Pak'nSave Gisborne netball competition.

However, the other, Ritana Senior A, have been relegated to Premier Reserve.

Gisborne netball's grading committee deliberated for about three hours on Saturday to reseed all senior teams from Challenge Round results and determine grades for the rest of the season.

A statement from the committee said members took into account Saturday's games, as well as results from Round 1.

Committee members felt that strong contests from Horouta Gold, Tapuae and Claydens Waikohu (3) meant they could not be separated and should all be in the Premier Grade.

This would be the first time in years that new teams had entered this grade, and the number of teams would rise to eight. The change would have an impact on the format of the grade, and the Gisborne Netball Centre board would meet today to consider a new structure for the rest of the season.

While Ritana Snr A were relegated to the Premier Reserve Grade, Farmlands Ngatapa and Horouta Taimana — with two wins each on Saturday — were promoted to that division from the A Grade. Tatapouri Sportsfit will remain in the grade after a one-goal loss to Taimana.

After two losses on Saturday, Taiki were relegated to the A Grade for the rest of the season. YMP (2) had two wins against the A Reserve challengers, so retained their A Grade position. With a win and a loss each, both Campion Snr A and Claydens Waikohu (2) were promoted to A Grade.

Whalis were relegated to A Reserve after two defeats on Saturday. Gisborne Girls' High School Junior A — challenging from First Grade — earned promotion with two wins. After a win and a loss each, Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) retained their A Reserve position, while NZHL Thistle Storm were promoted from First Grade.

After two defeats on Saturday, GGHS Korihi were relegated to First Grade. Both Tyre General Ngatapa and Uawa Ngarangikahiwa remained in the grade after a win and a loss each, and Wahine Hauora High School Old Girls were promoted from First Reserve.

Tatapouri Sportsfit Social had two losses on Saturday, so they will remain in First Reserve. Two wins to both Uawa Kahukuraiti and Claydens Waikohu (4) helped get them promoted to First Reserve, while — after two losses each — XLR8 and GGHS TSA were relegated to the Second Grade.

Premier: Whangara Old Girls, Claydens Waikohu, F45 High School Old Girls, YMP Sunshine Brewery, Gillies Electrical Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A, Horouta Gold, Tapuae, Claydens Waikohu (3).

Premier Reserve: OG Whangara, YMP Masters, Farmlands Ngatapa, Horouta Taimana, Ritana Snr A, Tatapouri Sportsfit.

A Grade: Taiki, McLeods Concrete HSOG, FarmCare HSOG, YMP (2), Campion Snr A, Claydens Waikohu (2).

A Reserve: Whalis, Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa, GGHS Snr B, GGHS Jnr A, Tatapouri Sportsfit (2), NZHL Thistle Storm.

First Grade: GGHS Korihi, OBM Blue, Gisborne Glass Ngatapa, Wahine Hauora HSOG, Tyre General Ngatapa, Uawa Ngarangikahiwa.

First Reserve: Tatapouri Sportsfit Social, Kotahi Aroha, Zeafruit Ngatapa, Uawa Kahukuraiti, Claydens Waikohu (4).

Second Grade: XLR8, GGHS TSA, YMP Manawanui, OBM Red Social, Thistle Phoenix.

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