The first quarter ended 13-all.
In the second stanza, Princess Tomoana came on at goal attack for Waikohu and was a steadying influence as her team pulled out to a six-goal lead.
Waikohu upped their defensive intensity in the third and fourth quarters and Horouta’s shooters Lexi Rutene, O’Shae Rangihaeata and Ashley Maka had to work hard.
Rangihaeata shot impressively under pressure.
Waikohu’s teamwork was crucial to their success and they finished as they started.
In a bottom-three game between Character Roofing YMP and Farmlands Ngatapa, injury denied Ngatapa their first on-court win of the Premier season.
YMP won 43-41 after Ngatapa led 11-10 after 15 minutes, 24-19 at halftime and 34-26 at three-quarter-time.
Halfway through the last quarter, after YMP had reduced an eight-goal deficit to four, Ngatapa centre Maria Jefferies went down with a knee injury and had to be carried off.
To make matters worse, they didn’t have any reserves so had to play with only six players— a hard ask against a team who were making a late surge.
It was pleasing to see Ngatapa play so well for their last game of the season with the players opening up the court and using their links to move the ball through the court.
Shooters, Jayda Taiepa and Hannah Little worked together slickly in the goal circle and gave feeders Caroline Gregory and Jefferies good options.
They also made good use of the “in and out” and “shooter to shooter” passes.
YMP’ defenders, Meri Rauna, Toni Halley and Kiana Ria Renata-Kokiri collected intercepts and rebounds, but Taiepa and Little kept calm and slotted some good goals.
Jefferies had a strong game, driving at speed through the court, linking both ends and delivering quality ball into the shooters.
Ngatapa circle defender, Bea Tomlinson collected tips and intercepts and combined well with Grace Watts to stop the balls going easily in to YMP’s shooters.
YMP made changes through the game and were rewarded for their determination, particularly in the last quarter when given a sniff of victory.
Semifinals were held throughout the other senior grades and there were some close scores.
All senior grade finals are being held this Saturday.
The losing semifinalists place third-equal.
Other senior grade semifinal results —
Prem Reserve: Down to Earth OG Whangara 27 FarmCare HSOG 22, Horouta Taimana 36 Waikohu P2 32.
Down to Earth OG Whangara v Horouta Taimana in final. FarmCare HSOG and Waikohu P2 3rd-equal.
A Grade: GGHS Snr B 34 HSOG 28, The Tav Sportsfit 32 YMP Masters 22, Whallis 41 Claydens Waikohu 2 27.
GGHS Snr B v The Tav Sportsfit in final. HSOG and YMP Masters 3rd-equal, Whallis 5th, Claydens Waikohu (2) 6th.
A Reserve: YMP Hine Taiohi Whakato 37 Campion Snr A 29, GGHS Jnr A 29 Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 23, Tyre General Ngatapa 32 ATS OBM Blue 13.
YMP Hine Taiohi Whakato v GGHS Jnr A in final. Campion Snr A and Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 3rd-equal, Tyre General Ngatapa 5th, ATS OBM Blue 6th.
1st Grade: Claydens Waikohu (4) 45 Horouta Hiriwa 19, Brendan Fry Builder Sportsfit OG 33 Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 24, Mike Pero Mortgages Thistle Storm 48, OBM White 18.
Claydens Waikohu (4) v Brendan Fry Builder Sportsfit in the final. Horouta Hiriwa and Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 3rd-equal, Mike Pero Mortgages Thistle 5th, OBM White 6th.
1st Reserve: Allwood Enterprises HSOG 37 OBM OG 26, Whatatutu 29 XLR8 24, Uawa Nui 23 GGHS Tuakana 15.
Allwood Enterprises HSOG v Whatatutu in final. OBM OG and XLR8 3rd-equal, Uawa Nui 5th, GGHS Tuakana 6th.
2nd Grade: Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 25 YMP Manawanui 22, Horouta Kohatu 32 Gis Glass Ngatapa 13.
Tatapouri Sportsfit Social v Horouta Kohatu in final. YMP Manawanui and Gis Glass Ngatapa finish their season 3rd-equal, Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) 5th.
