CONTESTED BALL: Waikohu goal attack Arahia Ruru fights for possession with Horouta’s Lucretia Taitapanui (centre) and Simmy Taitapanui. Waikohu won 47-46. Picture by Paul Rickard
CLAYDENS Waikohu edged Horouta Gold by one goal in premier-grade playoffs netball at the YMCA on Saturday.
Waikohu now play YMP (1) on Wednesday night to decide who will face Whangara Old Girls in Pak’nSave Gisborne netball’s grand final on Saturday.
The Waikohu-Horouta game summed up the passion and intensity of playoffs competition.
Waikohu won a pulsating and exciting contest 47-46. They led 14-10 after 15 minutes but it was tied up at 26-all by halftime.
Waikohu got back in front, 39-36, at three-quartertime, but seven minutes into the final period it was locked up again at 39-all.
The rest of the match had the big crowd on the edge of their seats, with each turnover, each goal and missed goal greeted with wild applause.
It got a bit physical in those closing stages as players pressed harder for turnover ball.
Waikohu got three goals in front again, then Horouta grabbed a couple back and with less than two minutes to play it was locked up yet again, 46-all, and the air was electric.
The match was decided on the last play. With 20 seconds on the clock, Waikohu pulled off a big turnover just outside the Horouta circle. The ball was fed swiftly in to shooter Ariz Ruru under the hoop and she calmly slotted the winner, moments before the final whistle.
Then it was pandemonium as the Waikohu fans celebrated.
For the players it was hugs all round and then they formed a circle together to celebrate a special match, and show their respect for each other.
As one supporter yelled from the stands, “Beautiful!”
Waikohu coach Cheryl Te Rito summed it up: “It was a great game and we knew it would be. We knew it would be tight.”
Te Rito said her girls were thrilled to be through to play YMP.
“We reached our goal this season when we made the top four, and now we will see how much further we can go.
“Horouta gave us a damn good workout ahead of our next game on Wednesday night, but we still have a few things to work on.”
She picked out centre Jessica Ruru for her play.
“Jessica defended well, attacked well and fed well.
“Ani Tiko (goal keep) and Stormy Merritt (goal defence) were immense for us. They both gave 100 percent, but then we expect that from them.”
Arahia Ruru shot superbly and Atli Wainohu at wing attack also excelled.
Horouta coach Charnelle Rutene said: “What a way to bow out of the competition. That was a great game.
“It was physical and we had our moments. We could have done it, but congratulations to Waikohu.
“This was our best-ever finish in premiers, and we are happy to finish fourth.”
Her sister Challise was again a rock for her team at goal attack.
“Challise was phenomenal all game,” Charnelle Rutene said.
“She has been the glue that has held us together all season. She is a true leader and leads by example.”
Lucretia and Simmy Taitapanui also made big contributions for Horouta at the defensive end.
• In the second bottom-four playoff, Lytton Senior A produced their best premier result of the season when they defeated Taste One High School Old Girls 65-50 on Saturday.
It was even at 14-all after the first quarter, but the students got in front in the second period on the back of relentless pressure on HSOG ball. At halftime they led 34-29.
The students were up 48-40 at three-quartertime and kept the pressure on to the end.
Lytton’s hunger for turnover ball, the strength of their passing game and their support play were testament to how far they have come as a team this season.
They forced HSOG into many errors with a real “in your face” performance.
Lytton skipper Lauryn Matenga-Houia said it came down to the girls having the confidence to release the ball and support each other.
“It’s exciting for us, especially when you consider we are a young team, with a lot more development to come in the next few years,” she said.
Coach Ronnie Martin said it was their best game this year in premier grade.
“All the hard work has paid off for them. They are rapt about this win, and they deserve to be.
“I’m very proud of them and of how far they have progressed. Now they are shooting for fifth place in the competition, which is really good for them.
“Manaia Hutana at goal shoot was awesome for us today, and our feeders did very well getting the ball to her.”
Riata Maynard and Anatea Taituha, who both played at wing attack in different parts of the game, were outstanding, along with Georgia Teneti at centre.
Ruby Westrupp and Elenoa Seruwaqa were strong in the defensive circle.
“Ruby and Elenoa worked their guts out again today,” Martin said.
Lytton play Gisborne Girls’ High School in the bottom-four final as the curtain-raiser to the premier-grade grand final on Saturday.
HSOG skipper Tanya Owen said the loss was a big disappointment for her team but she was quick to give credit where it was due.
“Lytton played extremely well,” she said.
“They shut us down on attack and their defence was dogged.
“While my girls feel disappointed, this result sums up our season. We have been inconsistent.”
HSOG take on Farmlands Ngatapa on Wednesday night to decide seventh and eighth places in the premier competition.