The two Whāngārā Premier Grade netball teams turned on a game to remember in tribute to the club's coach Ronnie Martin in the YMCA on Saturday. And they came together as one afterwards to remember Martin. Photo / Sherrill Beale
The two Whāngārā Premier Grade netball teams turned on a game to remember in tribute to the club's coach Ronnie Martin in the YMCA on Saturday. And they came together as one afterwards to remember Martin. Photo / Sherrill Beale
Whāngārā netballers paid tribute to late coach Ronnie Martin in the best way possible in the YMCA on Saturday by putting on a tribute game she would have loved.
It was the first of two Gisborne Premier Grade games in the Y and all four teams involved put on adisplay of great skill.
Martin, an icon of Gisborne netball, passed away 10 days ago and was farewelled last week.
In the first game, Whāngārā Old Girls beat clubmates Old Girls Whāngārā 56-50 and the quarter scores showed how close it was ... 15-11 (to the winners), 28-25 at halftime and then 40-40 at the third quarter break.
It was competitive for the full hour, with both teams using their links well to get the ball speedily through the court and into their shooters.
Each side pressured their opposition at every opportunity and there were some impressive intercepts and tips, which created exciting turnovers, but neither team could pull away.
Martin, who led Whāngārā to several Premier Grade crowns, would have enjoyed the game.
It had been a hard week for everyone and what the teams put out on court was a credit to them and her.
The second game of the day was a thriller between defending Claydens Waikohu (1) and Horouta Gold.
Waikohu won 51-49 and again the quarter scores reflected an arm-wrestle of a clash.
Reigning Premier Grade champions Waikohu had to work hard to beat a dogged Horouta Gold on Saturday. Princess Tomoana (GA) puts a shot up in their 51-49 win in the YMCA. Photo / Murray Robertson
The lead changed hands several times ... Waikohu up 14-13 in the first quarter, the score locked 28-all at halftime and Horouta leading 42-41 into the final quarter.
The teams worked hard to combat the pressure exerted through tight defence.
When they got the chance, they moved the ball quickly and managed to pull away by a few goals only for the score to be pegged back throughout the hour’s play.
It was 49-all with two minutes to go. Waikohu managed to slip ahead and hold on and Horouta Gold had to be content with a bonus point for losing by five goals or less.
It was hard to single out anyone as all players put in 100% in an intense atmosphere.
In Wednesday night Premier action, Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A take on Taste One High School Old Girls at 6pm.
Girls’ High started the season well, but lost their way a little last week against Turanga FM YMP.
They will have worked on this and should come out determined.
A Grade: Whalis 33 Manutūkē 20, Tawatapu Ora HSOG 33 Pioneer The Tav 25, Waikohu (2) 29 Tyre General Ngatapa 7.
A Reserve: Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) 27 Gisborne Girls’ High Junior A 24, Kapiana A 24 Enterprise Motors OBM 24, Allwood Enterprises HSOG 32 GGHS Sen B 25.
