Waikohu subdue YMP

TOO STRONG: Whangara Old Girls took out both their matches on Saturday, first against High School Old Girls, and then scoring a strong win against Ritana Senior A later in the day. Here Miriata Callaghan from WOG tussles with Lordharna Puketapu as all eyes go to the ball. Picture by Liam Clayton

NETBALL by Murray Robertson

WAIKOHU produced the boil-over result of the season to date in premier-grade netball when they downed defending champions YMP in emphatic style at Victoria Domain on Saturday.

Claydens Waikohu (1) led throughout and steadily built on their lead to win 39-31.

At the 10-minute mark they led 11-8, then 23-15 at halftime and 30-24 at the 30-minute mark in the Pak’nSave competition match.

“It was a close contest between the top-of-the-table leaders and Waikohu were very pleased to take the win,” netball commentator Sherill Beale said.

“Both coaches made changes, but Waikohu took a lead they never relinquished.

“Their goal defenders Ruby Tuapawa and Karyn Matahia worked together well and pressured YMP Sunshine Brewery’s shooters at every opportunity and created turnovers,” Beale said.

“At the other end, their shooters Missy Ruru and Arihia Ruru kept calm and moved around the goal circle well as they faced several different YMP defenders.”

It was YMP’s first loss of the season.

Waikohu coaching duo Cheryl Te Rito and Sharni Wainohu were thrilled, and proud of their players.

They said they had set the bar now for the team, and were going to “work their butts off” to stay there.

Waikohu and Whangara Old Girls (1) sit at the top of the table with four wins from four games.

Whangara won twice on Saturday.

In their first match they defeated F45 High School Old Girls 28-23.

It was tied 5-5 at the end of the first quarter. Whangara led 11-10 at half time but it was all square again at three-quarter time, 17-all.

“It was a very close game with Whangara just pulling away in the dying minutes,” Beale said.

“Both teams played speedy netball with all players contributing on attack and defence.

“Whangara’s Tania Adamson (nee Hill) led the defence charge and secured many intercepts and tips but was ably backed up by goalkeep Nadia Hohipa. Wing defence Materoa Poi and centre Taryn Walford put pressure on their opponents.

“Kelly Wood for F45 HSOG had a good game at GK and worked tirelessly to stop the ball getting into Whangara’s shooters,” Beale said.

In the second match Whangara overpowered Ritana Senior A 39-19, leading throughout.

“Their experience was too much for the young players of Ritana Snr A, who are in a rebuilding phase. The students also had to contend with their coach, Materoa Poi, playing against them in the second half.”

In the other premier game on Saturday Gillies Electrical Gisborne Girls High School were too good for Horouta Gold, and won the match 27-19.

“The students led all the way and were very pleased to take a win that has lifted them off the bottom of the grade.

“It was another close contest. The students took the lead in the first quarter and then edged ahead in the following three periods.”

Other results —

Premier Reserve: Claydens Waikohu (3) 42 YMP Masters 20, Tapuae 27 OG Whangara 24, Tatapouri Sportsfit 26 Taiki 20.

A Grade: Whalis 21 YMP (2) 20, Farmlands Ngatapa 33 McLeods Concrete HSOG 20, Horouta Taimana 31 FarmCare HSOG 27.

A Reserve: Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) 19 GGHS Korihi 13, Claydens Waikohu (2) 40 Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 25, Campion Snr A 34 GGHS Snr B 19.

First Grade: Tyre General Ngatapa 21 GGHS Jnr A 16, Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 30 Gisborne Glass Ngatapa 29.

First Reserve: Zeafruit Ngatapa 28 GGHS TSA 1, Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 24 XLR8 16.

Second Grade: Claydens Waikohu (4) 39 Thistle Phoenix 11, YMP Manawanui 25 OBM Red Social 22.

Only senior games were played. Junior teams return on Saturday.