Tough battle on the cards

Netball WOG v Waikohu - Aarika Ruru, Pourewa Sydney

JUST one goal separated Whangara Old Girls and Horouta Gold last time they took the court together in May, and their game at the YMCA tomorrow morning could be just as close.

The Pak'nSave premier grade netball match begins at 9am tomorrow,

It was close last time when Whangara Old Girls won by a goal.

A similar game can be expected tomorrow, especially as JT Contractors Horouta Gold's confidence will have increased after they beat higher-seeded F45 HSOG last week.

Whangara Old Girls coach Ronnie Martin will want to see continued improvement from her reconstituted team tomorrow.

“It's the last game for us this round,” she said.

“It will be pretty hard, and we are still regrouping.”

Whangara started this season with only one player from their 2021 line-up.

“The players are slowly coming around as they adjust to the type of game I like to see them play, and that's what Whangara have been well known for — speed and control,” Martin said.

“We have been affected by flu in the past couple of weeks, but tomorrow we have just about everybody available to play.”

Horouta coach Charnelle Rutene said her team were expecting a tough battle.

“We have been hit with illness this week, so we will be missing some players for the game,” she said.

“But the girls are still amped for it.

“They have been working hard at training on valuing our ball, retaining our possession, and limiting our error rate.

“I think we are very definitely improving.”

They have brought in a past player, Nicky-Marie Hitaua-Kohere Smiler, to help them at their defensive end.

“The girls are relishing the extra knowledge,” Rutene said.

“We'll be looking to play a full, consistent hour tomorrow.

“To be able to beat a team like Whangara we will need to.”

It will be another busy day at Victoria Domain, with games starting at 8.30am and the last round going on at 2.30pm.