YMP blitz secures grand final berth

Final spot is ours: YMP goal attack Jayda Banks inbounds the ball to teammate goal shoot Paku-Jane Skudder as Gisborne Girls' High School goal defence Skye Huhu attempts to intercept. YMP claimed a place in the grand final against Waikohu, beating GHS 65-31 in the semifinal last night. Picture by Paul Rickard

YMP turned on the power from the start to take charge of the netball semifinal against Gisborne Girls' High School at the YMCA last night.

Their opening blitz overpowered Gillies Electrical Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A, and YMP won the match 65-31, two weeks after Girls' High beat them by two goals.

YMP will play Claydens Waikohu in Saturday afternoon's premier-grade grand final at the YMCA.

The quarter scores tell the story of a totally dominant YMP performance — 18-3, 34-11, 47-22 — in front of a packed stadium.

YMP had all team members working together, and they were 11 goals up before Girls' High scored.

They were speedy and delivered precision passes in to their shooters, who were “on song”.

On defence, all players helped each other to isolate the ball carrier and then collect tips and intercepts.

The students made a nervous start and were tentative throughout the court.

They settled a little during the other quarters, but did not play as well as they did in a confident performance against Horouta Gold last week.

“That first quarter really put us on the backburner,” Girls' High coach Tanya Owen said.

“We knew YMP would come out strong and they certainly did. We got more connected as the game wore on.

“So, making the final wasn't meant to be but we're all still really proud of the girls for making the top three.

“That's a massive achievement, given that the team are young,” Owen said.

“Only one of them will not be back in the team next season.”

YMP coach Ingrid Brown said her team were excited to be in the final.

“We got there.

“It was our plan to start strong tonight, as soon as that first whistle sounded.

“There have always been good connections in the team, but tonight they all connected,” Brown said.

“I'd also like to say congratulations to Girls' High for making the semifinals.”

YMP skipper Paku-Jane Skudder said her team produced a “great effort” to win the game.

“We did it for our families and those who have gone before us,” she said.

“We were also determined not to lose for a third time this season.”

Saturday's final starts at 1.30pm.

In the playoff game for fifth and sixth place last night, Whangara Old Girls (1) defeated F45 High School Old Girls 54-48.

After the first quarter when it was tied 12-all, Whangara led all the way — 29-25 and 45-37.

But it was a close game that could have gone either way and was virtually goal for goal.

Whangara pulled ahead in the third quarter and looked as if they would take the win convincingly, but HSOG had a better fourth quarter.

Halfway through the last quarter they had pulled the deficit back to only four goals, but Whangara kept their noses in front to take the win.