Whangara-Girls’ High clash proves to be the day’s best

PRESSURE: Amoe Wharehinga, of Ritana, catches the ball under pressure from Paku-Jane Skudder, of YMP, in premier-grade netball on Saturday. YMP won 32-18. Pictures by Paul Rickard

Top seeds High School Old Girls, YMP and Whangara Old Girls kept their unbeaten records at Victoria Domain on Saturday.

The Whangara-Gisborne Girls' High School clash was the game of the day.

Whangara led all the way against Girls' High Senior A but the students pushed them all the way in their PAK'nSAVE premier-grade clash.

Whangara led 10-9 at the end of the first quarter, 21-16 at halftime, 30-26 at the end of the third quarter and 37-32 at the end.

“It was picked to be the game of the day and it did not disappoint,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“It was a close contest, with both teams' players working together well on attack and defence.”

Beale said the two centres — Tarryn Walford of Whangara and Hannah Veitch of Girls' High — had a good tussle.

“Both of them were speedy through the court and quick to the loose ball. They created turnovers with their tips and were steady in linking with their teammates from both ends.”

Claydens Waikohu (1) beat Horouta Gold 36-22.

“Waikohu worked as a team, let the ball flow and pressured Horouta Gold into errors,” Beale said.

“Horouta made changes but could not pull back the deficit.

“Their circle defenders, Lucretia Taitapanui and Simmy Taitapanui, worked tirelessly, forcing Waikohu to be patient in working the ball into their shooters, Marie Ruru and Ariz Ruru. The patience paid off and Waikohu piled on the goals for a good win.”

YMP Sunshine Brewing defeated Ritana Senior A from Lytton 32-18.

“YMP were happy to be back on the court after a weekend off and gave a strong team performance,” Beale said.

“They outscored the students in each quarter.

“Ritana had some good passages of play but couldn't stop a rampant YMP, who worked together on attack and defence.”

Taste One HSOG also defeated Ritana Senior A, 36-26. Llike YMP, they led throughout.

“It was another strong performance from the defending champions,” Beale said.

“The players showed their good connections as they moved the ball at speed through the court.

“Their shooters, Marcia Beale and Lisa Basford, are working together well and splitting the circle to make it easier for the ball to be fed into them.

“Ritana worked hard, but were often pressured into making errors by their more experienced opposition.”

Taiki 42 Old Girls Whangara 23; Claydens Waikohu Masters 35 Gis Fluid and Machinery HSOG 25; Tatapouri Sportsfit 38 YMP Masters 21; IMS HSOG Masters 38 Horouta Taimana 19; Tatapouri Sportsfit 32 Gis Fluid and Machinery HSOG 28.

YMP TimberPro 26 Claydens Waikohu (2) 15; FarmCare HSOG 28 Gis Denture Clinic HSOG 27; FarmCare HSOG 23 Claydens Waikohu (2) 22; Tapuae 35 Farmlands Ngatapa 21; Whalis 43 Campion Snr A 26.

GGHS Jnr A 39 Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 19; The Stingerz 28 Thistle Storm 20; Tyre General Ngatapa 35 GGHS Snr B 18; OBM Blue 32 Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 21; Thistle Storm 31 GGHS Snr B 25.

Ritana Toa 30 Kotahi Aroha 30; GGHS TSA 29 Ritana Toa 17; Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 56 Thistle Phoenix 6; YMP Manawanui 14 Gis Glass Ngatapa 13.

• Netball takes a break on Saturday in the middle weekend of the school holidays. The seniors return to the court on July 18.