YMP reinforce class with big win

STRONG PERFORMANCE: Arahia Ruru of Waikohu (1) is all concentration as she leaps for the ball ahead of Bronya McMenamin of YMP. Waikohu head to the elimination semifinal and YMP look forward to the preliminary final on Saturday. Picture by Paul Rickard

YMP booked themselves a place in the premier grade netball preliminary final on Saturday and for Waikohu (3) the season ended at the hands of Tapuae.

The first of the Pak'nSave premiership playoffs at the YMCA on Saturday morning produced two contrasting games.

In the first, top-of-the-table YMP Sunshine Brewery reinforced their class and form with a 53-37 victory over Claydens Waikohu (1) to advance straight to the preliminary finals on August 18.

YMP led all the way — 18-8, 30-17, 43-23 and then 53-37.

“YMP are playing good netball, with all players working together throughout the court,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“They moved the ball speedily through the court, with players showing precision timing and popping out to collect passes to elude the pressure of the opposition.

“It is hard to mention special players as it was the whole team working as one,” Beale said.

The victory was a repeat of what YMP handed out to Waikohu (1) a week ago.

“Waikohu (1) worked hard on Saturday and had better success when they were more controlled in their passing and movement, but it was always tough with the intense pressure from YMP's players working together across the court.”

Beale said Waikohu's Karen Matiaha, at goal keep worked tirelessly and had success in collecting many tips and intercepts.

Waikohu (1) meet Tapuae in the elimination semifinal, to be held next Saturday.

Tapuae moved forward to that game on the back of beating Claydens Waikohu (3) in a contest that was tight compared with the other match.

Tapuae were up 11-10 after 15 minutes, then it was 24-all at halftime and 36-all at three-quarter time, before Tapuae ran out 53-51 winners.

“This was a close game for the full hour and could have gone either way,” Beale said.

“It was virtually goal for goal for the whole game with both teams working hard to get the ball in to their shooters and then, on defence, putting pressure on the opposition's ball-carrier trying to create a turnover.

“Tapuae's Wreyon McCormack-Wesche started the game at goal defence and moved to goal attack in the second quarter, and it was her partnership with shooter Hope Kaihe-Tahuri that worked well, especially in the last quarter,” Beale said.

“They moved in the goal circle well and gave good options for the feeders to get the ball in.”

Tapuae pulled the scoreline out to a four-goal difference with three minutes to go and managed to keep the lead.

“Tapuae meet Waikohu (1) in the elimination semifinal next Saturday, and Waikohu (3) finish their season in seventh position.

Premier Reserve: Farmlands Ngatapa 29 Crosscutters OG Whangara 16, Ritana Snr A 33 YMP Masters 27, Tatapouri Sportsfit 34 Horouta Taimana 21.

A Grade: FarmCare HSOG 29 YMP 2 23, McLeods Concrete HSOG 34 Taiki 29, Claydens Waikohu (2) 29 Pharmacy 53 Campion Snr A 29.

A Reserve: Whalis 31 Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 22, GGHS Jnr A 30 NZHL Thistle Storm 25, GGHS Snr B 29 Tatapouri Sportsfit 2 23.

First Grade: OBM Blue 30 Wahine Hauora HSOG 16, Gis Glass Ngatapa 32 Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 30, Tyre General Ngatapa 25 GGHS Korihi 17.

First Reserve: Zeafruit Ngatapa 16 Claydens Waikohu 4 15, Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 34 Kotahi Aroha 23.

Second Grade: GGHS TSA 24 ALH Thistle Phoenix 15, XLR8 24 OBM Red Social 20.

The second playoff games, at the YMCA on Wednesday, feature Horouta Gold against Gillies Electrical GGHS Snr A at 6pm, and Whangara Old Girls against F45 HSOG at 7.30pm.