Waikohu go close

CLOSE MARKING: Ritana goal shoot Summer Marama-Kingi (right) catches the ball under pressure from Horouta Gold goal keep Claire Manson in Gisborne premier-grade netball on Saturday. Picture by Paul Rickard

Waikohu fought their way back into their clash with YMP in premier-grade netball on Saturday but fell just three goals short of another big upset.

YMP Sunshine Brewery started strongly, worked together throughout the court and looked like they were going to romp away to victory on the back of their seven-goal halftime lead.

“However, Claydens Waikohu made changes at the break and they were more competitive in the second half,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

They steadily pegged back the deficit, but not enough to win. They earned a losing bonus point for being only three goals behind.

“There was close contesting of the ball in both goal circles,” Beale said.

“Waikohu defenders Humaria Higgins and Karyn Matahia worked together and made YMP's shooters move around the circle to work the ball in.

“At the other end, YMP's defenders, Bronya McMenamin with Sidney Rore in the first 20 minutes and Keasi Williams Fonohema in the second 20, worked tirelessly to stop the ball going into the Waikohu shooters,” Beale said.

YMP won the game 25-22.

The quarter scores had YMP up 6-4, 15-8 and 20-14.

In the other matches, Ritana Senior A beat Horouta Gold 36-30, and led throughout — 8-4, 18-10 and 28-21 at the quarters.

“Ritana moved the ball well and showed good understanding with each other. They led all the way and adjusted quickly to changes in the opposition line-up.

“Horouta Gold were competitive and managed to pull back two goals in the second half, after being down by eight,” Beale said.

Whangara Old Girls outplayed Ritana 37-25 in the students' second match of the day.

“This was a strong team effort by the experienced Whangara side, who moved the ball speedily through the court and marked tightly on defence,” Beale said.

“The students started well and were leading at the end of the first quarter. However, the pressure from the opposition forced them into errors and they let the lead slide.

“They made changes but could not stop the run by Whangara.”

In the final match, Taste One High School Old Girls were too strong for Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A, and won 36-16.

“Girls' High were unlucky to meet HSOG coming back from last week's loss,” Beale said.

“The winners were dominant from the first whistle.

“They worked as a team on attack and defence, pressured the students into errors and scored from the turnovers they created.”

“Girls' High made changes but could not stop the determined run by HSOG.”

A Grade: Tatapouri Sportsfit 33 IMS HSOG Masters 27; Taiki 24 Old Girls Whangara 23; Tatapouri Sportsfit 38 Old Girls Whangara 24; Horouta Taimana 29 Gis Fluid and Machinery HSOG 27; Claydens Waikohu Masters 47 YMP Masters 24.

A Reserve: YMP TimberPro 28 Claydens Waikohu (2) 21; Tapuae 40 Whalis 21; FarmCare HSOG 24 Campion Snr A 14; Tapuae 47 Campion Snr A 15; Farmlands Ngatapa 42 Gis Denture Clinic HSOG 27.

First Grade: OBM Blue 30 Thistle Storm 17; GGHS Jnr A 51 The Stingerz 16; Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 25 Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 23; GGHS Snr B 19 Tyre General Ngatapa 17.

First Reserve/Second Grade: GGHS TSA 34 YMP Manawanui 15; Gis Glass Ngatapa 27 Kotahi Aroha 24; GGHS TSA 35 Ritana Toa 14; Uawa Kahukuraiti 42 Thistle Phoenix 19; Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 31 OBM Red Social 19.