“Those two teams never disappoint when they play each other, and usually they push each other for great displays of skill,” netball centre manager Allisa Hall said.
“The final quarter was dominated early by Whangara and they outscored YMP 12-6 to close the gap to 51-50 with four minutes on the clock.
“The last few minutes were exciting with the teams virtually playing goal for goal.
“YMP held their composure and controlled their possession to take the win.”
Whangara pick up an important bonus point for the two-goal margin of their loss.
“I think it was one of the team’s better performances of the season,” Whangara coach Ronnie Martin said.
“Nadia Taare was outstanding at goal attack. She shot very well.
“It has been an up-and-down season for us, but I think last night’s effort shows the ability the girls have to remain in the top four. That’s our aim.”
In the other match last night, Taste One High School Old Girls overpowered Horouta Gold to win comfortably.
HSOG led throughout — 19-13, 30-23, 45-33 and, at the end, 62-41.
“High School Old Girls got off to a strong start, but Horouta did not back down,” Hall said.
“The second quarter was close and HSOG outscored Horouta by only one goal.
“HSOG lifted their intensity during the second half and finished the game strongly.
“They held Horouta to only eight goals in the final spell.”
Saturday’s premier match in the YMCA at 10am has YMP Sunshine Brewery up against Claydens Waikohu.
That match will be previewed in The Herald tomorrow.
• The Gisborne under-17 representative team have made the final in their grade at the Netball New Zealand under-17 championships in Palmerston North.
They beat Horowhenua 32-29 and Mid Canterbury 28-25 to make the final of the 33-42 grade of the competition.
It was to be played today.
