Netball YMP v GHS - Bronya McMenamin
YMP (1) head into the Gisborne premier-grade netball playoffs next week with real momentum after they soundly beat defending champions Whangara Old Girls at the YMCA last night.
They won the top-of-the-table clash 63-46 ahead of a rematch next Wednesday night that will decide one of the grand finalists.
YMP led 12-6, 26-19 and 48-32 through the first three quarters.
Their speed, through-court vision and support play were exceptional and Whangara struggled to match them from the outset.
“Those were awesome aspects of our game tonight,” YMP coach Ingrid Brown said.
“Our focus has been on belief and faith in each other, and we saw that on court tonight.”
Brown said everyone contributed to the win.
“It was great to see the level of morale across the whole team.
“There are some little touch-ups needed but we are certainly happy with where we are ahead of the playoffs next week.”
Brown said her team adapted well to the positional changes she made during the game.
“They played some smart netball.”
Bronya McMenamin was once again a force for them in and out of the defensive end, with some great drives through court and tons of pressure on the Whangara shooters.
Paku-Jane Brown-White was in exceptional form under the hoop, and her shooting statistics were right up there.
Despite her team’s second loss in a week, Whangara coach Ronnie Martin remained upbeat.
“You win some, you lose some, and while I don’t see the losses as setbacks, it’s certainly not good for a team to be losing like that this close to the top four.
“Our shooting was a bit of an issue again. Sometimes it was great, other times not so great, and we will have to address that before next Wednesday night.”
Martin said the team had been down this track before.
“They are a bunch of players who can step up once top four starts and I am sure they will do that.”
Tracey Babbington-Maynard toiled hard for them in midcourt last night, and Tania Hill and Bayleigh Harrison were wholehearted in defence.
Despite the loss, Whangara still finish the round robin on top of the table, one point above YMP (1).
In the other match last night, Taste One High School Old Girls lost by one point after taking the game to Horouta Gold.
HSOG led 15-11 at the end of the first quarter, but Horouta came back at them in the second to lead 24-22 at halftime.
In that second period, HSOG missed 15 shots on goal, but they got back on target in the third period and levelled the score at 37-all.
The final 15 minutes was a treat, with HSOG out to a four-goal lead at one stage, only to have Horouta fight their way back to level it at 49-all with less than a minute to play.
A bullet-like pass into the shooting circle from Horouta wing attack Ngahuria Akania seconds before the final whistle decided the match.
It was grabbed by goal shoot Logan Aston-Whaitiri under the hoop and she shot the winner — 50-49.
Horouta goal attack Challise Rutene was tireless again.
“We put ourselves under more pressure than we should have, and HSOG really turned up to play tonight,” Rutene said.
“Our main focus was to get some momentum going into the playoffs and I don’t think we put out best foot forward tonight.
“However we just have to keep plodding along and doing our best.”
Horouta play Claydens Waikohu in the playoffs.
Hard-working Lucretia Taitapanui at goal keep was Horouta’s best last night with some nice turnover ball.
HSOG skipper Tanya Owen was solid again for her team at centre and Saffron Eparaima was again impressive.
“There was a bit of improvement from the girls,” Owen said.
“We put together a lot of what we have been working on in training, which was really good.
“We certainly played with a lot more intensity and everyone fought to the end.”
Sulieti Halafihi, at wing attack and goal keep, was their player of the day.