“It was a close first half and the students deserved their half-time lead,” said netball commentator Sherrill Beale.
“YMP’s experience told during the second half and they put pressure on the students.”
They outscored the students 17-9 in the third quarter to take charge of the game.
“Girls’ High coach Irene Takao was really rapt with the way her girls played,” Beale said.
“She said they just need to believe in themselves a bit more, and gain a bit more experience.”
Claydens Waikohu 1 came out of the starting blocks strongly in the second match in the “Y” last night and it paid off for them handsomely in the end against Whangara Old Girls 1.
Waikohu won it 56-47.
They led 19-6 at the end of the first quarter, 33-21 at half time and 47-31 at the three-quarter mark.
Waikohu made a strong start and were leading by 13 goals at the end of the 1st quarter.
“The other quarters were much closer,” Beale said.
“The last quarter was very exciting as WOG pulled the score back and to within seven goals with only five minutes to go.
“Both teams put intense pressure on the ball carriers and the score seesawed a little,” Beale said.
“But Waikohu kept calm and did not relinquish their lead.”
“It all went to plan last night,” said Waikohu coach Cheryl Te Rito.
“We worked on getting off to a great start and that’s what happened. Then we kept the pressure on right to the end.”
Te Rito said everyone played well and she did not want to single out any particular player.
“It was an exceptional team effort.
“Even the players who came into the game off the bench contributed well.
“There was no change to our tempo when we made substitutions. The incoming players just slotted in from where we left off.
“So, yes, very pleased with the result and hopefully we can keep that standard of play going.”
There will be just the one premier match in the YMCA on Saturday, with Taste One High School Old Girls to meet Ritana Snr A from Lytton High School.
