Girls’ High and Waikohu will face off in a crunch game at the YMCA at 9am on Saturday.
Waikohu must win while a draw would be enough for the students.
YMP and HSOG met in the second game at the Y last night — the final round-robin game for both — to settle the order of No.1 and No.2 for the playoffs.
“It was a very close, evenly contested game with some very good skills on display,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.
Nothing separated the teams in the opening two quarters — 9-all after the first 15 minutes, 24-all at the halftime break.
YMP got their noses in front in the third period to lead 41-37 and it ebbed and flowed before that four-goal buffer was restored by the end.
“It was a very intense game, with both teams playing man-on-man, pressuring their opponents at every opportunity,” Beale said.
“They fought for loose ball and made speedy passes, with all players doing their part on the court.
“It looked like the third quarter was going to be HSOG’s downfall, as YMP scored the first seven goals to lead 31-24.
“However, HSOG kept their composure and pulled it back”.
Beale said both teams had surges in the final two quarters.
“But it was pegged back and there was only one goal separating them part way through the last quarter.”
YMP coach Ingrid Brown made no changes for the whole game.
“Both YMP shooters had a good game, especially Paku-Jane Skudder, who took some very good lobs and finished off with goals.”
HSOG coach Tanya Owen made one change in the third quarter but reverted back to the original line-up part way through the quarter.
“Both centres, Ata Mangu for YMP and HSOG’s Katie Kirkpatrick, had strong games,” said Beale.
“They were speedy, made timely tips, drove hard on to the goal circle and delivered good ball into their shooters.
“HSOG’s shooters worked well together and pulled off some quick passes between each other.”
Saturday’s two games in the YMCA will end round-robin play.
In the other Saturday game, Lytton Senior A take on Whangara Old Girls.
