YMP-Waikohu match likely best of the day

PRESSURE PLAY: High School Old Girls goal attack Lisa Basford takes the ball under pressure from Waikohu goal defence Ruby Tuapawa in senior netball last year. Both teams are in action at Victoria Domain tomorrow. Picture by Paul Rickard

NETBALL

THE region’s senior netballers hit the courts at Victoria Domain tomorrow morning to get their delayed competition under way, and the match-up between YMP and Waikohu looms as the game of the day.

A start to the season was put on hold due to the Covid-19 lockdown and players, coaches and supporters alike cannot wait for the morning.

Coaches spoken to this week indicated their players were “buzzing”, really excited to finally have play under way.

“Our netball whanau are always happy to catch up with each other at the start of each season, but I am sure they will be ecstatic tomorrow after such a long time away from our game,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

The competition has been slightly amended, with the teams playing two six-week rounds, finishing with semifinals and finals in late September.

No grading round will be held, so the seniors start their games seeded in the positions in which they finished last year. The games will last 40 minutes.

“It is always interesting to see the start of netball and the make-up of teams,” Beale said.

The observer could see who had remained with their teams, who had returned after a break, who had moved from one team to another, and who was new to the district, she said.

“It all adds to the interesting, competitive nature of netball and this year we have the enjoyment of getting to actually play netball when it could have been so different.”

Beale said was it was difficult to make predictions about the premier games tomorrow.

“We last saw some of the teams on March 14 at the Kathleen Henderson Memorial Tournament, and the others at the end of the 2019 season.”

Whangara Old Girls and Lytton High School team Ritana Senior A get the ball rolling at 9am.

“Whangara were runners-up last year and were runners-up in the Kathleen Henderson tournament, so I am expecting them to be ready to continue their winning ways tomorrow,” Beale said.

At 10am, YMP Sunshine Brewing take on Horouta Gold.

“YMP Whanau started the year by being crowned Kathleen Henderson Memorial Champions, so I expect them to be strong tomorrow,” Beale said.

“But we cannot underestimate Horouta, as they are often the thorn in other teams’ sides.”

Taste One High School Old Girls, defending premier-grade champions, play Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A at 11am.

“HSOG didn’t play in the Kathleen Henderson, so they are very excited about getting back on to the court and will be keen to start the season strongly,” Beale said.

“For Girls’ High, as for all school teams, it will depend on the players they have retained from last year, and how well they combine on the court.”

Beale believes the match of the day will come at 12 midday when YMP meet Claydens Waikohu (1).

“Waikohu (1) have the players to push YMP, so I am expecting this game to be very competitive,” Beale said.

Forecast heavy rain tomorrow could make for a challenging start to the competition.