“Top-of-the-table YMP were too strong for Girls’ High Senior A,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.
“They started so strongly that it was nine minutes into the match before the students scored a goal. Girls’ High had their share of the ball, but struggled to finish it off.”
Beale said it did not help that their strong goal shoot Oriwa Tuipolotu was missing.
“So the high lob into the goal circle was picked up by YMP defenders Raiha Campbell and Bronya McMenamin.
“Once again YMP played as a team on attack and defence. Their links through the court were strong and all players were driving on to the ball at speed.
“Campbell and McMenamin were out hunting the ball, collecting rebounds and backing each other up. They were very quick to loose ball.
“They made things difficult for the Girls’ High attackers, who had to resort to passing the ball around and back to the transverse line.”
Beale said Hannah Veitch had a good game at centre and then goal defence for Girls’ High.
“She collected many tips and intercepts and was available to collect the back passes at the transverse line.”
YMP coach Ingrid Brown said it was a good result ahead of their next three games against Waikohu, Whangara and High School Old Girls.
“Renee Wikaire in our mid-court was sensational,” Brown said.
“She played really well in ensuring our links through court and feeds into our shooters.”
Brown said the match gave them the opportunity to look at different combinations.
“Co-coach Lynette Kutia and I were happy with the way that went.”
It was a disappointing result for the students, who had been steadily improving and playing some good netball.
They have pushed other higher-ranked teams hard in the past six weeks.
On Saturday morning, though, YMP handed out some netball lessons.
