Turnovers critical in thrill-a-minute game

File picture

NETBALL

A turnover in the dying moments helped clinch a two-point win for Waikohu against Whangara Old Girls last night in one of the most exciting premier-grade games so far this season.

The game went basically goal for goal throughout as the scoreline see-sawed, and the quarter scores indicate the intensity of this Pak’nSave netball game.

Whangara led 14-13 after 15 minutes, then Claydens Waikohu led 27-24 at halftime and 37-36 at three-quartertime.

“Waikohu turned the ball over with a minute to go and Whangara levelled the score,” netball centre manager Allisa Hall said.

“But the Whangara centre pass was broken, and Waikohu had time to score again off their own centre pass again, before the game ended 51-49 to them.”

Whangara pick up a bonus point for the loss.

“We picked this to be a close game and it didn’t fail to deliver,” Hall said.

“It was a very exciting game to watch.

“This is a crucial win for Waikohu, who are now tied with Gisborne Girls’ High Senior A, and both teams are closing in on the top three teams for a Top 4 semifinal position.”

Waikohu coach Cheryl Te Rito said, “Winners are definitely grinners!”

“Again, the girls stuck to the game plan and they are playing well for, and with, each other.

“They are covering each other. They’ve got each other’s backs.

“I am extremely happy with how they are going.”

Te Rito picked out Ani Tiko at goal keep and Ruby Tuapawa at goal defence as two of her best.

“The midcourt also went well last night and Toni Rutene, who was the captain on court for the first time, led the girls very well.”

In the other match at the YMCA last night, YMP Sunshine Brewery were too good for Horouta Gold, winning 58-36.

Horouta won the first quarter 13-12, but after that the match swung firmly in YMP’s favour.

“The game started quite messy in the first quarter with lots of turnovers,” Hall said.

“Horouta took the early advantage and led by four goals before YMP found their rhythm and closed the deficit.

“YMP settled in during the second quarter and took control of the match.”

The thrills will no doubt keep coming in the inter-school fixture between Girls’ High and Lytton at the YMCA tonight.

“We are looking forward to another thriller at the YMCA tonight between the two school teams,” Hall said.

Girls’ High would be favoured, given their most recent results and the way they have steadily developed in the past six weeks.

Lytton will need to find something special to beat them.

The premier grade points table after last night has YMP Sunshine Brewery on 32, Taste One High School Old Girls 29, Whangara 22, GGHS Snr A 17, Claydens Waikohu 17, Horouta Gold 8 and Lytton Snr A 5.