YMP out to keep up winning streak

GOING FOR GOAL: YMP’s Princess Tomoana-Whareherehere lines up a shot as (from left) Waikohu’s Ruby Tuapawa, YMP’s Paku-Jane Brown-White and Waikohu’s Jasmine Black wait. Picture by Paul Rickard

REIGNING premier netball champions YMP (1) will look to continue their winning ways and make it two from two in Round 2 of the Pak’nSave Gisborne Premier Netball Competition tomorrow.

The champions went undefeated all season last year and have yet to lose this season. They go into tomorrow’s game against Gisborne Girls’ High School as favourites.

Meanwhile, the students will want to bounce back from a 56-42 loss to IMS High School Old Girls midweek.

YMP co-coach Ingrid Brown said her team of eager youngsters and experienced stalwarts had been playing well so far this season, with match planning a key component of their success to date.

Team unity had also been a strength of the team.

“Our students in the team really look up to our senior players, Bronya McMenamin and Paku-Jane Brown-White. At the moment Paku-Jane and Princess Tomoana-Whareherehere are working really well together in attack, and Bronya is doing some great work in our defensive end.”

Possession the keyBrown said possession would be the key to tomorrow’s game.

“We had a good start against Ngatapa last week. There are a few little things we need to polish but we will work on them during the season.

“For tomorrow’s game we will be trying to look after our own ball first, and making sure that we finish off any turnover ball we get.”

She also issued congratulations to all the Gisborne netball players who took part in the waka ama world sprint championships this month, including Kiwi Campbell, YMP co-coach Irene Takao and former player Tia Akurangi (now at Lytton High School).

In the weekend’s remaining game, IMS HSOG will look to make it three wins in a row when they take on a stiff challenge from the ever-improving Horouta Gold, who will be fresh from their upset win against Whangara Old Girls last weekend.

Whangara hit straight back this week after suffering their first loss of the round last week, with a 63-51 win against Clayden’s Waikohu on Wednesday.