YMP coach Ingrid Brown said that even though they won by a good margin, her team still had work to do.
“We have some good periods of play and then some not so good, and we need to close that gap and become more consistent.”
She singled out her defensive end last night.
“They did very well and I thought Renee Wikaire at wing attack was outstanding.”
Horouta Gold beat Claydens Waikohu 47-41In the other match last night, Horouta Gold defeated Claydens Waikohu 47-41.
Horouta led throughout — 14-9, 25-19 and 35-30 at the quarters.
“It was a close game for the whole hour,” Beale said.
“Horouta Gold worked together well and pressured Claydens Waikohu into making errors.
“They took the lead at the first quarter mark and never relinquished it.
Mother - daughter defenders Simmy and Lucretia Taitapanui played well“Waikohu had their chances. In the fourth quarter they were only two goals behind at one stage, but Horouta pulled away again, denying Waikohu a bonus point.”
Beale said that for Horouta, goal defence Simmy Taitapanui and goal keep Lucretia Taitapanui (mother and daughter) played well.
“They worked together and stopped many balls going into the goal circle.”
Waikohu coach Cheryl Te Rito made several changes but her team could not pull ahead.
Ariz Ruru back after recently having twins“She even had Ariz Ruru back at goal shoot in the second half,” Beale said.
“Ariz recently had twins.
“Ruby Tuapawa at goal defence had a good game out hunting the ball for Waikohu, and she collected several turnovers.”
Te Rito said it was a disappointing result.
“We still haven’t got our midcourt right but hopefully by the beginning of the next round we will have corrected that.”
Stormy Merritt was again missing from the Waikohu line-up last night due to work commitments.
The school teams are back in action at the YMCA on Saturday.
In the first game, Whangara Old Girls play Gisborne Girls’ High Senior A. In the second game, Taste One High School Old Girls play Lytton Senior A.
Those matches will be previewed in The Herald tomorrow.
