Waikohu in grand final

Safe Hands: Gisborne Girls’ High School’s Hinerauiri Cotter-Luke watches as Waikohu’s Ashleigh Brown receives a pass. Waikohu were matched up against YMP in a game that saw the winner take a direct path to the finals. Waikohu beat YMP 44-43 in a thrilling game from the start. Picture by Paul Rickard

Waikohu made history for themselves at the YMCA last night when they won straight through to the premier grade netball grand final for the first time.

In a pulsating, physical contest, Claydens Waikohu (1) defeated YMP (1) by a single goal in their semifinal.

In the earlier game, Gillies Electrical Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A ended the season for JT Contractors Horouta Gold.

It means YMP will play Girls' High on Wednesday next week to decide who will join Waikohu in the final.

A huge crowd enjoyed an outstanding display of netball skills from all four teams across both games at the YMCA last night.

Girls' High led all the way against Horouta Gold, and won 48-36.

The students didn't wait until the last quarter to put their foot down, as they have been doing. They played strongly from the first whistle.

They took the lead a couple of minutes into the game and never let up — 15-9, 27-18, 40-27.

It was a strong team effort where all players were speedy on to the ball, delivered good passes in to their shooters and then worked together on defence, pressuring Horouta Gold at every opportunity.

It is hard to single out any of their players as they all did their job and deserved the win.

Shooters Jamie Rika and Kassie Owen worked well in the goal circle. They positioned themselves to collect the passes and then finished with some excellent goals.

Centre Te Arai Waihape-Matthews and wing attack Natasha Porter — and Silke McNaught in the fourth quarter — were speedy on to the goal circle, worked well in delivering passes in to their shooters and made sure they were available for any back-passes.

Defenders Joaquina Kaa and Judaea Keelan-Phillips had strong games and pressured every ball going into the Horouta goal circle. They secured many tips and intercepts and backed up each other to help collect any loose ball.

Wing defence Skye Huhu, in the first quarter, and Hine Cotter-Luke, for the rest of the game, helped in this backing up. They were fast to loose ball caused by Girls' High pressure.

Horouta Gold had some good passages of play, but the students were very focused last night. They were determined to claim the win.

Charnelle and Challise Rutene celebrate their birthdays today, so the result last night was not one they were hoping for. The cake and the singing of “happy birthday” for them by both teams at the end was special.

“I think Girls' High were awesome tonight; they were the better team,” Challise Rutene said.

“They were determined to win and I think they can go all the way.

“As for us, well, our girls can be really proud of themselves, as Charnelle and I are of them.”

Girls' High coach Tanya Owen said she was really proud of her girls.

“They're bringing what we practise to the game,” she said.

“Our defence right through the court was really solid and at the shooting end we were on song.

“Overall it was a very good team effort by everyone.

“We know we have the netball community behind us. They want us to do well and the girls are relishing all the support.”

Horouta Gold finish their season in fourth place.

The match that followed was played at fever pitch. Waikohu (1) beat YMP (1) 44-43 and the quarter scores tell the story of just what an enthralling game it was.

It was 14-all after 15 minutes, 26-24 to Waikohu at halftime and 36-35 to YMP at three-quartertime. In the final quarter, with 10 minutes to play, it was 38-all, then 41-all with five minutes to play.

It was a close, competitive game for the full hour and it could have gone either way. Both teams had their chances but the opposition would peg them back.

Both teams were speedy through the court, delivering good ball to their shooters.

YMP used the lob to Paku-Jane Skudder while Waikohu shooters, Arahia Tuhua and Princess Tomoana, used the in-and-out passes effectively.

Both sides' defenders had strong games. They were out hunting the ball and secured many tips and intercepts.

YMP's Keasi Fonohema and Bronya McMenamin pressured every ball going into the goal circle, while at the other end, Waikohu's Karen Matiaha and Humaria Higgins did the same.

Both ends secured some crucial turnovers, and their supporters got very excited.

The midcourters of both teams worked tirelessly.

“The girls just wanted it; they just wanted it so badly,” was how Waikohu co-coaches Cheryl Te Rito and Pania Tomoana summed up their team's performance.

“They dug really deep tonight, and played a team game for 100 percent of the time.

“Everyone pulled their weight because they knew what was at stake.

“We're thrilled to be in our first ever grand final. But it's not over yet!”

“YMP coach Ingrid Brown congratulated Waikohu on the win.

“It just wasn't our night tonight.

“But we're in it for the long haul, as long as we stay in contention.”

​ Waikohu (1) go through to the final to be held on Saturday, August 27. YMP and Girls' High meet at the YMCA on Wednesday night next week to decide who will join them.