Whangara run ends

INCOMING: YMP wing defence Jayda Banks watches as Whangara Old Girls wing attack Miriata Callaghan gathers in the ball in Premier Grade netball on Saturday at the Victoria Domain courts. YMP won 27-16. Picture by Paul Rickard

YMP ended Whangara Old Girls' 2021 unbeaten streak in Premier Grade netball on Saturday with a clearcut 11-point victory in the final round of grading.

However, Whangara's No.1 side remained in first spot on the ladder due to a superior goal differential after they finished equal with Clayden's Waikohu (1) on 20 points.

The rain cleared by 10am and the later rounds were played in sunshine.

Senior club sides completed Round 1 and this Saturday will be the Challenge Round, where the top two teams from each grade (bar Premier) play the bottom two teams of the grade above.

The make-up of the senior grades will be decided after this,

YMP Sunshine Brewery won the big game of the day 27-16 over Whangara, and it was the third quarter that told the story.

The sides were tied 4-all after the first 10 minutes but by halftime YMP had pulled away to a 10-7 lead and extended that to 17-10 in the third quarter.

“It was a closely-contested game, with the competitive match-up of opponents causing the ball to go up and down the court before a goal was scored,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

That was reflected in the final score, with only 43 goals scored over the 40 minutes.

“YMP were the steadier team and capitalised on wayward passes, tips and intercepts,” Beale said.

Horouta Gold led all the way to defeat Ritana Senior A 38-22 for their first win of the season.

“Horouta started strongly and kept the pressure on to the end,” Beale said.

F45 High School Old Girls were too good for Gillies Electrical Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A, running out 35-19 victors.

“HSOG worked together throughout the court and moved the ball speedily to their shooters. Their defenders followed the ball closely and created chances to collect tips and intercepts,” Beale said.

“The students had some good passages of play but not enough to withstand the pressure from their experienced opponents.”

Claydens Waikohu 1 overpowered Ritana 46-25 in the students' second game of the day.

“Waikohu continued their winning ways and were too strong.”

Horouta and Ritana face Tapuae and Claydens Waikohu (3) in the Challenge Round, which starts on Wednesday night in the YMCA.

Premier Reserve: Tapuae 38 YMP Masters 31, Claydens Waikohu (3) 32 Tatapouri Sportsfit 22, Taiki 29 OG Whangara 18.

Tapuae and Claydens Waikohu (3) top two in grade and will challenge Horouta Gold and Ritana Sr A.

A Grade: FarmCare HSOG 43 Whalis 27, Farmlands Ngatapa 33 YMP 2 26, Horouta Taimana 30 McLeods Concreting HSOG 18.

Horouta Taimana and Farmlands Ngatapa top two and will challenge Taiki and Tatapouri Sportsfit.

A Reserve: Campion Snr A 27 Claydens Waikohu 2 26, Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 31 Tatapouri Sportsfit 2 23. GGHS Snr B 27 GGHS Korihi 20.

Campion Snr A and Claydens Waikohu (2) top two and will challenge Whalis and YMP (2).

1st Grade: Gis Glass Ngatapa 25 Tyre General Ngatapa 21, Thistle Storm 41 Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 23, GGHS Jnr A 27 OBM Blue 21.

GGHS Jnr A and NZHL Thistle Storm top two and will challenge Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) and GGHS Korihi.

1st Reserve: Wahine Hauora HSOG 28 Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 15, XLR8 32 GGHS TSA 3, Kotahi Aroha 18 Zeafruit Ngatapa 17.

Wahine Hauora HSOG and Tatapouri Sportsfit Social top two and will challenge Tyre General Ngatapa and Uawa Ngarangikahiwa.

2nd Grade: OBM Red Social 30 Thistle Phoenix 8, Uawa Kahukuraiti 37 YMP Manawanui 10.

Uawa Kahukuraiti and Claydens Waikohu (4) top two and will challenge GGHS TSA and XLR8.