Whangara give top seeds YMP a fright in a Premier Grade thriller in the YMCA

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Whangara Old Girls fell just short of ending YMP (1)’s unbeaten 2023 record in an absorbing Premier Grade battle in the YMCA on Wednesday night.

The defending champions won 46-45 in one of two exciting games that could have gone either way.

Horouta Koura beat Character Roofing YMP (2) 42-40 in the other clash.

The quarter scores tell the story of how close Whangara came. Turanga FM YMP led 16-14 after the first quarter and 26-24 at halftime but by the third quarter break it was 37-all.

It was a tense, competitive game for the full hour as both teams tried their best to take control, only to be thwarted by determined opposition play.

Both teams played speedy netball, positioned themselves well and were airtight in defence — meaning  all players had to work hard for every pass.

The last quarter was intense with both teams guilty of letting errors slip in as the defensive pressure mounted.

Spectators became more vocal at every turnover, loose ball or intercept as the sides went goal for goal.

There was elation and relief for YMP at the fulltime whistle while Whangara had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Horouta led all the way but a stubborn YMP (2) were always hot on their heels — trailing 14-9, 23-20 and 33-29 through the breaks.

Horouta made the better start, with their attackers working together well.

Shooters Lexi Rutene and O’Shae Rangihaeata put themselves in good positions and created space, giving midcourters Nina Olivier and Paare Ahuriri-Leach options in the goal circle.

At five goals in front after the first quarter, it looked like Horouta were going to pull ahead further only for YMP (2) to work their way back and create their own chances.

Shooters Kiana Ria Renata-Kokiri, Ngarita Ehau Taumaunu and Kellan Kemp (in the last quarter) combined well in the goal circle.

But Horouta always had a buffer and kept YMP (2) at bay and, like Whangara, they did not leave the stadium empty-  handed — collecting a losing bonus point for their efforts.

The Premier Grade action continues at the YMCA on Saturday morning  with Gisborne Girls’ High Senior A facing Character YMP (2) at 9am.

Girls’ High enjoyed a big win when these teams met in the Challenge Round and the students have been playing well in the last couple of weeks.

However,  YMP (2) showed on Wednesday night that they can foot it at this level and their performance will have boosted their confidence.

Horouta Koura are back in action at 10.30am against Farmlands Ngatapa.

Horouta won well over Ngatapa in the Challenge Round and while they had to work hard on Wednesday night to see off YMP (2), there were many impressive passages of play.

Ngatapa will need to bring their top game.

All other grades continue across the road at Victoria Domain courts from 9am to 2.45pm.