Whangara withstand Lytton challenge

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Lytton High School gave Whangara Old Girls some anxious moments and High School Old Girls were too good for Waikohu in Pak’nSave premier-grade netball at the YMCA last night.

In the first of the two games, Whangara Old Girls were just six goals better than Lytton Senior A (56-50).

The quarter scores told the story — 11-15, 25-22, 38-34 and 56-50.

“The students made the better start and were leading at the end of the first quarter,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“However, the experienced heads of Whangara helped pull that deficit back and put them in the lead at halftime.

“It was virtually goal for goal, with one team pulling ahead and the other pulling them back.”

At one stage in the third quarter Whangara were 10 goals up.

“But the students didn’t give up and they were unlucky not to earn a bonus point for being within five goals,” Beale said.

“The final goal was a penalty right on the fulltime whistle.”

Beale said there were some good match-ups.

“It was especially enjoyable to watch the tussle between Lytton shooter Manaia Hutana and Whangara goal keep Tiara Weir. They put on a good display of skills.”

The outcome in the second match last night was much more decisive.

Taste One High School Old Girls were too good for Claydens Waikohu, winning 50-35.

HSOG led throughout and the quarter scores show their dominance — 13-8, 24-19, 36-26 and 50-35.

“HSOG worked as a team and moved the ball smoothly through the court,” Beale said.

“They pressured the Waikohu ball-carriers throughout the court, which made it difficult for them to get the ball into their shooters and also resulted in some errors.

“Again HSOG used their bench players without altering their play.”

Only one premier-grade game will be played at the YMCA on Saturday.

Gisborne Girls’ High School take on Horouta Gold at the earlier-than-usual time of 9am.