Waikohu shooters on fire in one-goal win

FULL STRETCH: Action from the High School Old Girls-Waikohu netball match in June 2016 . . . Ella Smith of HSOG and, in the foreground, Atlee Wainohu of Waikohu contest midcourt possession. Last night the teams met again in the YMCA, and Wainohu was a standout performer. Picture by Paul Rickard

A YMP whitewash and a one-goal thriller made for a contrasting two games of Pakn’Save premier netball at the YMCA on Saturday.

Reigning champions YMP (1) continued their unbeaten run with a 74-48 win against Farmlands Ngatapa.

The earlier game, however, was far tenser viewing, as Waikohu pipped IMS HSOG 55-54. That tightened up an already close race for the top four playoffs.

YMP can already plan for those as they are runaway leaders on a perfect 28 points. The other three spots are up for grabs, with only five points separating five teams. Waikohu moved up the table with the four points they secured in a performance led by their attack.

“Waikohu shooters were on fire,” said HSOG wing attack Tanya Owen.

The death of Waikohu Sports Club and community stalwart Starr Rutene the previous weekend was a motivating factor as they hit the court running, flying out to a 20-13 lead in the first quarter. By halftime it was 35-26 but HSOG started eating into the lead in the third quarter, and closed it to six (46-40).

HSOG stepped up the defensive play, with goal keep Alex Sinclair hugely influential. The HSOG defence closed down Waikohu in the circle and they hunted as a unit. Waikohu held on and were probably as relieved as they were elated at the final whistle.

HSOG collected a losing bonus point for their comeback efforts.

Bottom-of-the-table Ngatapa started strong against YMP to trail by only four goals after the first quarter. Steady hands and accurate shooting, especially from goal-shoot Natalie Knight, who hardly missed the whole game, helped keep Ngatapa in it.

YMP stepped it up in the second quarter, forcing several turnovers in the midcourt and converting these to goals to end the first half 38-22 ahead.

YMP’s depth was underlined in the third quarter when they brought on four new players. Their smooth flow of play across court continued and every player did her job as YMP ended the stanza 22 goals in front. A two-pass delivery in the third quarter was evidence of the team’s dominance of possession throughout the second half.

Despite the comprehensive win, YMP coach Irene Takao was considered in her critique.

“It’s not the best they can play,” she said. “They had moments of good play but got a bit inconsistent at times.”

While not getting too far ahead, YMP do have the playoffs in their sights.

“We are focusing on who our percentage players are, who we want to play in those final games.”