“Whangara did to YMP what YMP did to them last week,” said netball commentator Sherrill Beale.
“They turned the tables, that’s for sure. They really opened play up for most of the match and let the ball go.”
Goal attack Nadia Taare was back to her best. She and goal shoot Sandee Porter were the perfect foils for each other.
Wing defence Bayleigh Harrison hunted down intercepts while Tracey Babbington-Maynard was rock-steady at wing attack.
“We have worked hard to get to this point, and while we still have some work to do, it certainly feels great to be in the final,” said Whangara coach Ronnie Martin. “We know that whoever we meet in the final, it will be tough.”
Martin said their shooters had a rocky start last night but when they got going they came into their own.
“Our feeding from Tracey (Babbington-Maynard) and centres Taryn Walford and Raipoia Kawhia was very good.
“Overall, it was good for the team’s confidence to get one back against YMP.”
Skipper Babbington-Maynard said their season had been dedicated to their former teammate Jaymee Watson, who tragically lost her life in a road accident near the start of the season.
“Jaymee was our motivation tonight; we are in the final for her.”
YMP coach Ingrid Brown said while it was tough to lose she gave credit to their opposition.
“They stepped up like we expected they would. We did not rise to the occasion like I hoped we would.”
ymp were without a key member of their line-up, goal defence Bronya McMenamin, who is at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland supporting sister and Black Ferns team member Charmaine.
“We missed her presence last night that’s for sure.
“Defensively we were not in it and while we scored our goals at the other end, thanks to a fine effort by Paku-Jane Brown-White, you have to be able to keep the opposition out, and that did not happen for us like it has done,” Brown said. “Our youthful team will need to come back stronger next Wednesday night, whoever we play.”
That will be decided on Saturday when Claydens Waikohu play Horouta Gold. The winner face YMP to decide the other grand finalist.
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There was a boilover result in a bottom-four playoff game last night.
Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A defeated Farmlands Ngatapa 42-41 for their first win of the season.
The students trailed 9-16 and 17-28, but then launched a mighty comeback to trail 30-33 at three-quarter time.
The final period was edge-of-the-seat stuff as the students levelled it at 36-all with seven minutes to play.
Both sides fought for every ball but the students got the lead and held on to it.
“It meant everything to us to win this game,” said Girls’ High captain and goal shoot Aroha Brown.
“I am so proud of the girls. It feels overwhelming to win one at last.”
Coach Dianah Foley said she could pick out every one of her players for special mention.
“I am really excited for them. They dug really deep tonight.
“They kept playing every quarter. In the past we have tended to drop off in the final period but not tonight. The girls were firing.”
Maia Cudd was sensational at goal attack and centre Te Mai Ora Olsen-Baker had a barnstorming game.
Ngatapa coach Kate Faulks said her team were extremely disappointed.
“It was gut-wrenching to be ahead by as much as we were and lose.
“But well done Girls’ High. They came together really well.”
Faulks felt the best match-up on court was between lively Ngatapa centre Katie Kirkpatrick and Girls’ High opposite Olsen-Baker.
“They matched each other for size and heart out there tonight. It was great to watch.”
