Whangara unbeaten

GRADING BATTLES: Netballers take the Victoria Domain courts tomorrow in the first round of grading. Contests such as this — with High School Old Girls wing attack Courtney Stubbins (centre), Lytton wing defence Ruby Westrupp (left) and centre Georgia Teneti all going for the ball — will abound. Picture by Paul Rickard

Round 2 of netball grading at Victoria Domain on Saturday produced a fascinating series of premier results highlighted by another win for unbeaten Whangara Old Girls and a storming victory to Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A.

Whangara remain the only unbeaten team after two rounds in Pak’nSave netball grading after they comprehensively defeated Claydens Waikohu 31-20.

“Whangara looked good,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“They moved the ball through the court well and showed that good connections are developing between all players – on attack and defence.”

Girls’ High bounced back from their Round 1 defeat to topple Taste One High School Old Girls 35-32, after HSOG had earlier inflicted Lytton Senior A’s first loss in grading (27-19).

“The Girls’ High game against HSOG see-sawed throughout — 7/11 20/19 29/23 and 35/32,” Beale said.

“HSOG took the lead initially, but the students turned that around and were leading by six at the end of the third quarter.

“In the last quarter, HSOG staged a comeback, but had to be content with a bonus-point loss.”

Girls’ High coach Irene Takao was thrilled with the result.

“I am happy for the girls and happy about the way they were able to keep their play and composure together. They showed great maturity.”

In their earlier match, HSOG beat Lytton in a competitive game.

“HSOG led throughout, with quarter scores of 8/4 16/12 22/16 and 27/19.”

YMP firsts got their grading campaign firmly back on track after their initial loss, with a resounding victory over Horouta Gold, 47-19.

“They played really well today with a particularly strong second half. The quarter scores were 8/7 23/11 36/15 and 47/19,” Beale said.

“Their combinations are developing well and they were letting the ball go with confidence.”

Claydens Waikohu had a much-needed win, 25-22, against Horouta Gold but it was tight throughout.

“It was another competitive game between these teams,” Beale said.

“Horouta picked up a bonus point.”

Beale said that with the challenge round looming on May 5, next weekend’s results would be important for most teams aiming to play premier-grade netball.

“Horouta Taimana and Tatapouri Sportsfit have made determined starts to their season by taking four wins from four.”

Results (asterisk denotes losing team earns a bonus point) —

A Grade: Horouta Taimana 42 Campion Snr A 26; Tatapouri Sportsfit 23 Taiki 14; Old Girls Whangara 44 Whalis 26; Earthwork Solutions HSOG 28 Farmlands Ngatapa 26*; IMS HSOG Masters 34 Taiki 32*; Tatapouri Sportsfit 21 Campion Snr A 20*; Whalis 33 Earthwork Solutions HSOG 33; Old Girls Whangara 42 Farmlands Ngatapa 23; Horouta Taimana 46 IMS HSOG Masters 18.

A Reserve: YMP 2 34 Horouta Hiriwa 30; GGHS Sen B 39 OBM Blue 27; Horouta Hiriwa 32 OBM Blue 20; GGHS Snr B 22 XLR8 20*; Whatatutu 25 Ahi Kaa 25.

First Grade: Lytton B 33 Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 21; Gis Glass Ngatapa 24 Uawa 21*; Claydens Waikohu 2 38 Kotahi Aroha 20; FarmCare HSOG 29 GGHS Jnr A 20; Lytton B 31 Gis Glass Ngatapa 17; Uawa 30 Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 14; FarmCare HSOG 31 Kotahi Aroha 16; Claydens Waikohu 2 36 GGHS Jnr A 15.

First Reserve: Tawhiti 32 OBM Masters 12; Gis Denture Clinic HSOG 17 GGHS TSA 17; Gis Denture Clinic HSOG 36 OBM Red Masters 10; Tawhiti 28 YMP Manawanui 14; Thistle Storm 39 Rovers 21.