Top three stamp their mark hard,Top three teams stamp authority

In THE CIRCLE: HSOG goal attack Lisa Basford gathers the ball under pressure from Ruby Tuapawa in the 65-38 win to HSOG against Waikohu. Picture by Paul Rickard

NETBALL

THE final shape of Gisborne premier-grade netball’s top four was decided at the YMCA on Saturday, with the top three teams stamping their authority over their opponents in no uncertain terms.

None of the matches in the Pak’nSave competition was as close as expected.

“The best game was YMP Sunshine Brewery against Ritana senior A from Lytton High School,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

YMP won the contest clearly enough 51-34, but the students made a fight of it.

“Ritana made a good start and it was seven minutes before YMP scored their first goal with the score at 6-1,” Beale said.

“However, YMP collected their skills and it was 9-all a minute before the end of the first quarter, and they never looked back.”

The quarter scores tell the story — YMP 11-9, then 22-16, 37-26 and 51-34.

“Ritana’s goal defenders Te Aria Henwood at goal keep and goal defender Georgia Teneti put pressure on YMP’s shooters, Paku Jane Skudder and Kelanne Kemp, and created many turnovers throughout the whole game

“Paku-Jane had to use all of her netball skills, and not just hold and collect the lob, because one of those two defenders was hunting the ball,” she said.

“Once YMP settled they moved the ball at speed through the court, working together on attack and defence.”

Beale said YMP’s team defence worked especially well near the end of the second quarter as they pressured Ritana’s ball carrier and created turnovers.

“Two minutes before half time there were only two goals separating the teams, but YMP cut down Ritana’s options and secured more goals.

“YMP goal keep Raiha Campbell played well. She continuously moved around in the goal circle, not giving Ritana goal shoot Keasi Williams-Fonohema much room to position herself for the high lob.

“Raiha put doubt into Ritana’s feeders and collected many tips and intercepts.

“After a shaky start to the game, YMP finished the round with a good win and retained the top of the grade position.”

They play Whangara Old Girls on Wednesday night in the first top four semifinal.

Whangara despatched Gisborne Girls’ High 55-36 on Saturday.

“Whangara’s strength is the way they work together as a team. The understanding between each other has developed well in this last round.

“The players had good vision on Saturday and, usually, took the best option – often straight down the middle,” Beale said.

“Tiara Weir at goal keep and Tania Hill at goal defence were strong in the goal circle and the students struggled to get the ball into their shooters.

“They had good support on the outside from Bayleigh Harrison and Mel Mackey-Huriwai.

“Their shooters Sandy Porter and Nadia Taare have shown better links in the last couple of games and moved the goal circle well.”

In the third match Taste One HSOG cleaned up Claydens Waikohu 65-38.

“HSOG made a good start and were up 7-1 after five through a whole team effort on attack and defence. Their attackers moved the ball at speed through the court and were always available around the goal circle to give better options.

“At the other end Arna Mastrovich (GK) and Kelly Swann-Ferris (GD) were out hunting the ball and securing tips, intercepts and rebounds.”

HSOG will play Waikohu in the other top four semifinal at the weekend.

Ritana play Chambers Horouta Gold in Wednesday night’s first bottom-three semifinal.