Whāngārā Old Girls v YMP 1 chance to make early statement

YMP (1) centre Ata Mangu is put under pressure by Whāngārā Old Girls counterpart Tania Adamson in last year’s premier grade grand final at the YMCA. Whāngārā won a double extra-time thriller to clinch the crown and the teams face off again tomorrow in Week 2 of Round 1 of the 2024 season at the Victoria Domain courts. Whangara started their campaign with a win while YMP lost to Waikohu. Picture by Paul Rickard

Premier grade Round 1 netball games at Victoria Domain tomorrow feature a mouthwatering rematch of last year’s epic grand final between Whāngārā Old Girls and YMP (1).

Players and supporters will never forget that incredible August 19 clash in the YMCA which Whāngārā won 59-57 after two periods of extra time.

The intensity perhaps won’t be at that level tomorrow as the teams look to build combinations, work on game fitness and  set foundations for the season.

But both will be keen to make an early statement in this preliminary round to the points competition proper.

Another busy day at the courts will feature three premier games, intermediate and secondary grades playing their last grading games, and the other senior grounds continuing Round 1.

Whāngārā  and Tūranga FM YMP face off at 9am.

The reigning champions had to to work hard for a come-from-behind 30-27 win in their season-opener against Gisborne Girls’ High Senior A last weekend.

YMP made a good start to their clash against 2023 beaten semifinalists Claydens Waikohu (1), but let a halftime lead slip and went down by four goals.

Whāngārā and YMP have retained many of their players from last year and this will add to the contest because they know each other’s play very well.

The premier action continues at 11am with Waikohu playing Character Roofing YMP (2)

Waikohu have also kept the bulk of last year’s squad.

After a slow start last Saturday, Waikohu settled in the second half and piled on the pressure to earn a narrow victory.

YMP (2), beaten 41-20 by Horouta last Saturday,  have a few new players and they are working on building understanding between each other.

Waikohu produced some strong passages of play last week, so YMP (2 )will need to bring their top game to be competitive.

The third premier game pits  GGHS Snr A against TR Builds Horouta Koura at midday.

Girls’ High have kept a good number of last year’s attacking players and their new defensive members gave a solid account of themselves last weekend against champions Whāngārā.

Horouta Koura also have some fresh faces but going on their comprehensive win last weekend, their understanding is developing well and they will go into tomorrow with confidence.

Both teams will have worked on their links over the week and will look to convert this on to the playing court and let the ball flow.

This could be a close contest.

The Victoria Domain courts will be busy from 9am to 3pm and the forecast is for showers clearing to fine weather in the afternoon.