Waikohu victory ends season

GRADE CHAMPS: The Claydens Waikohu netballers finished their season in style with a grade win at a national interclub tournament in Rotorua last weekend. They are (from left) Heaven Kemp, Cherie Parsons, Missy Ruru, Arahia Ruru, Storm Merritt, Atli Wainohu, Dolly Ruru, Ani Tiko, Pene Rutene, Aaki Ruru, Jessica Ruru, Toni Rutene, Margaret Henry and Cheryl Te Rito. Picture supplied

A STELLAR season for Claydens Waikohu lost none of its lustre at the annual Kurangaituku Netball Tournament in Rotorua last weekend.

Waikohu won the C Grade of New Zealand’s largest netball club tournament, at which over 650 games are played.

It followed their third placing in Gisborne premier-grade netball’s Jan Duncan Memorial Cup competition — Waikohu’s best finish in Gisborne netball.

Coach Cheryl Te Rito’s team won all eight games they played in the Rotorua tournament at the weekend.

“The girls won their seven section games and that put us into the C Grade final, which we won by a goal against a team from Hamilton.”

The tournament draws teams from all over New Zealand and has been going for 84 years.

Te Rito said it was the first time in the nine years that Waikohu had competed in the tournament that they had been at full strength.

“The girls were absolutely rapt to win our division,” she said.

“We go to the tournament to wind down and enjoy ourselves at the end of the Gisborne competition.

“So the girls were just so relaxed. There was no pressure on and they played absolutely awesome.”

Last year Waikohu finished runners-up in their section, one of two in the C Grade.

“We didn’t make the final last year,” Te Rito said.

“Now we have the opportunity to move up into B Grade next year.

“The choice will be ours and we will wait to see how we look, player-wise, at the start of next season before deciding.

“It was a terrific way to end our season, right on a high.”