Whangara, Girls’ High in thriller, YMP look strong

Pressure: Whangara Old Girls goal shoot Tiara Weir takes a pass under pressure from Gisborne Girls’ High School goal defence Sky Huhu in premier grade netball at Victoria Domain on Saturday. Whangara won this game 29-26. Picture by Paul Rickard

by Sherrill Beale

YMP produced another big winning margin and Whangara Old Girls and Gisborne Girls’ High School fought out a much tighter affair in premier grade netball on Saturday.

Whangara won their match 29-26.

They started the game strongly with everyone working as a team to pressure the ball carrier. They created intercepts and tips, and always had someone to pick up the loose ball or collect a pass.

Whangara led by six at halftime and it felt like they would put their foot down and pull away.

However, Girls’ High Senior A lifted their game in the second half and were more consistent in keeping the ball.

This boost in teamwork helped them to slowly claw back some of the deficit and earn a bonus point for their close loss.

The quarter scores favoured Whangara but not by much — 11-8, 19-13 and 24-20.

Girls’ High tried several different combinations and had some good passages of play where the ball moved effortlessly through the court.

Whangara’s defensive end, Te Aria Henwood, Torepe Taumaunu and Saffron Eparaima, gave a strong display of skills and helped each other hunt the ball and create turnovers, especially in the first half.

Taryn Walford, at centre, was always available to collect the loose ball and linked both ends well.

In Saturday’s second premier game, YMP Turanga FM defeated Horouta Koura 38-20. They led throughout — 11-6, 23-13 and 32-16.

YMP had another strong outing and pulled further ahead in each quarter.

The players are developing a good understanding and are moving the ball speedily through the court.

Horouta Koura tried different combinations and had some good passages of play, but had to work hard to withstand YMP’s defensive pressure.

Other results (* denotes bonus point — margin within three goals) —

Premier Reserve: YMP Masters 34 Farmlands Ngatapa Green 30, YMP (2) 28 Horouta Taimana 21, HSOG 31 Old Girls Whangara 27.

A Grade: Farmcare HSOG 33 Claydens Waikohu (2) 24, Waikohu P2 defeated Lytton Snr A by default, The Tav Sportsfit 43 Enterprise Cars OBM 16.

A Reserve: Steve Craill Ngatapa White 37 Whalis 35*, GGHS Jnr A 41 Campion Snr A 18, GGHS Snr B 27 YMP Hinetaiohi Whakato 27.

First Grade: Brendan Fry Builders Sportfit OG 25 Tyre General Ngatapa Blue 23*, Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 31 GGHS Tuakana 25, OBM White 24 Allwood Enterprises HSOG 17.

First Reserve: OBM OG 26 Thistle Storm 23*, Horouta Hiriwa 25 Uawa Nui 22*, Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 38 Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) 19.

Second Grade: Gis Glass Ngatapa Red 17 Horouta Kohatu 11, Whatatutu 35 Claydens Waikohu (4) 21, XLR8 25 YMP Manawanui 9.

Senior netball takes a break for two weeks and returns on April 22.

Secondary, intermediate and Year 5 and 6 grades start on Saturday, April 29.