YMP in ominous form

YMP goal attack Bronya McMenamin (left) and goal defence Sydney Rore combine to deny Horouta goal attack Aroha Brown (right) during a premier grade netball game on Saturday. YMP won 72-51. Picture by Paul Rickard

YMP racked up the biggest score to date in premier grade netball this season when they defeated Horouta Gold 72-51 at the YMCA on Saturday, with a final-quarter effort that would have sent a shiver though the competition.

The winners led 21-13 at the end of the first quarter, then Horouta came back at them in the second period to close it to 33-30, still in YMP’s favour.

But in the second half, YMP Sunshine Brewery pulled away to lead 50-40 at three-quarter time and 72-51 at the end.

“YMP put in a strong performance by all working together on attack and defence,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“They came out more focused in the second half and edged away.

“Midcourters Ata Mangu, Hine Hubbard and Renee Wikaire worked tirelessly. They pressured the Horouta ball-carriers and secured many tips and intercepts.

“The understanding between that trio helped to link both ends and they drove the ball, at speed, through the court into shooters Paku-Jane Skudder and Bronya McMenamin.

“In the last quarter, YMP’s circle defenders made it difficult for Horouta’s feeders to get the ball into their shooters and the score ballooned out by 22 goals to 11,” Beale said.

“We tried a few different defensive-circle combinations that worked well,” YMP coach Ingrid Brown said.

“Raiha Campbell at goal keep was outstanding with her reading of the play, some good tips and mobility round the opposition.”

Brown said the move to play McMenamin at goal attack paid off.

“That was Bronya’s first time in that position this season and she added another dimension to our attack. Her offloads into goal shoot Paku-Jane Skudder were really good. Our plan was to use a mid-court defensive press and that worked well. Renee (Wikaire) at wing defence was a key to that. We were able to let the ball go.”

The winners’ score of 72 goals was the biggest premier tally of the season so far.

Horouta Gold wing defence Ngahuria Akania said that as a team they were still trying to gel.

“YMP are always a hard team to play and they were again today,” she said.

“We clicked as a team in the second quarter and outscored them by five goals, but we could not maintain our consistency.

“That is something we will have to work harder on. YMP upped their game in the second half and just went away from us.”

Horouta shooter Shannon Mahu shot well and was the pick of their line-up in terms of performance.