“YMP goal defenders Keasi Williams-Fonohema and Bronya McMenamin worked together well and stopped many passes into HSOG shooters Marcia Beale and Lisa Basford.
“At the other end, YMP shooter Paku-Jane Skudder positioned herself well and directed play around their attacking circle.”
The other two premier games were close and decided by a two-goal margin, with bonus points for the losing teams in both matches.
Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A beat Claydens Waikohu (1) 38-36 after they led all the way.
It was 11-9 to the students after 10 minutes, 18-17 at halftime and 27-26 at three-quarter time.
“It was a close game that could have gone either way,” Beale said.
“Both teams had good passages of play but the students learned from their game the previous week and didn't let the experienced opposition pressure them into too many errors.
“They kept to their game plan, let the ball flow and sneaked ahead.”
Ritana Senior A and Horouta Gold fought out a close match, too, before the Lytton girls won it 19-17.
The quarter scores were 6-5, 11-8 and 14-13.
“It was another close game that could have gone either way,” Beale said.
“Ritana showed more confidence in this game. The attackers had good links, letting the ball go into space and backing each other up.
“Both coaches made changes, but neither team could create dominance and the ball often went up and down the court.
“All three top premier teams have now suffered a loss, and they all finished on the same points. Goal differential had to be used to decide their positions on the table.”
On 20 points, YMP Sunshine Brewing top the table on goal differential from Taste One HSOG and Whangara Old Girls. Gisborne Girls' High are on 10 points, Claydens Waikohu on 9, Ritana on 5 and Horouta Gold on 3.
Beale said one of the A Grade matches was a standout game.
“IMS HSOG Masters and Claydens Waikohu Masters drew 39-all,” she said.
“Both teams were unbeaten and remain unbeaten.”
