“The girls played like I know they can, as a real team. They backed each other up and were consistent through the whole court.
“We had nothing to lose going into this game; we are already in the playoffs, so I told them to go out and enjoy themselves, and look at what happened!”
Te Rito said it set them up well for the top-four playoffs.
“It proves to the girls what they can do if they are in the right frame of mind.”
Waikohu defended like demons and fed the ball well into accurate shooters Ariz Ruru and Toni Rutene, who again combined superbly.
Wing defence Jessica Ruru was also prominent.
Whangara coach Ronnie Martin said her team did not shoot well, which was unusual for them.
“When the girls connected well and got the ball moving they played well. But changes we made at halftime did not work in that third quarter where Waikohu scored so well.”
She declined to pick anyone out.
“The whole team can do better, and I am sure they will.”
Skipper Tracey Babbington-Maynard was philosophical about the loss.
“Sometimes it’s quite good to have a bump in the road. The games that really matter are still to come.”
Netball commentator Sherrill Beale watched the game and said: “This was a good day for a team to have a bad day.”
~
• Farmlands Ngatapa and Taste One High School Old Girls turned on the most gripping and even contest, won 52-48 by Ngatapa.
They led 14-12, 27-22 and 39-35 over the first 45 minutes.
HSOG dragged the score back to 29-all then 46-all but despite their best efforts, Ngatapa got their noses back in front again with key turnovers.
Ngatapa coach Kate Faulks said they were determined to make a strong start and they did.
“The girls knew they had to win to get ahead of HSOG for the bottom-four playoffs.
“It was their best game for a month and I am very pleased with them.
“We did some soul searching as a group after that big loss to YMP last week and today I feel they found some redemption.”
Centre Katie Kirkpatrick was the Ngatapa player of the day.
“Katie was nippy and so determined,” Faulks said.
“She dedicated herself to every ball that came her way. Jo Rickard at goal keep also played really well.”
Skipper Arna Majstrovic led from the front as usual with some excellent intercepts and rebounds.
HSOG captain Tanya Owen said her team made too many errors.
“We went off task a bit and focused too much on the scoreboard instead of on the play we were producing.”
HSOG goal keep Alex Sinclair had a strong game and confused the space well in the circle for the Ngatapa attackers.
“We certainly did not want to be in the bottom four but that’s where we are,” Owen said.
“While we are a developing team, there can be no excuses.
“We will refocus and regather. Our goal now is to finish at the top of the bottom four.”
~
Lytton Senior A made it three wins from three this season against arch-rivals Gisborne Girls’ High School in Saturday’s other match.
Lytton led 14-11, 31-23, 41-34 and 54-45 at the close of the quarters.
“It was a good game and it was good to see the girls control it right the way through,” Lytton coach Ronnie Martin said.
“The improvement they have made is coming through in their play. The work they have put in is paying off for them.
“The long-term aim this season has always been to do well in the Lower North Island Championships in New
Plymouth in September and get back up into A Grade in that tournament,” Martin said.
“I’ll be over the moon if they can do it; I think they’re on track.”
Midcourter Lauryn Matenga-Houia was one of their best, and Ruby Westrupp and Elenoa Seruwaqa once again stamped their mark on defence.
“Goal shoot Manaia Hutana shot very well again today,” Martin said.
“She scored all 31 goals in the first half and was so strong in the shooting circle.”
Girls’ High coach Dianah Foley was pleased her girls were so competitive.
“We had injury and player availability issues again but there are no excuses. The girls who played did well and they’re a great bunch.
“Lytton are going great and it must be helpful for them to have a full squad.”
Standout players for Girls’ High were centre Te Mai Ora Olsen-Baker and shooter Maia Cudd.
