YMP win battle royal

Finishing in the top spot: YMP's goal-keep Keasi Fonohema looks to send the ball down court while Whangara Old Girls goal-shoot Tiara Weir attempts to defend in their match. YMP played Waikohu last night and beat them in a thrilling match 53-45. YMP hold on to their undefeated run finishing the second round. Picture by Liam Clayton

One goal separated the top two teams in Gisborne premier-grade netball for three-quarters of their battle royal at the YMCA last night.

A late run of goals gave YMP (1) a 53-45 victory over Claydens Waikohu (1) in a Pak'nSave premiership clash that lived up to all expectations.

YMP remain unbeaten and finish the second round in top spot.

It was a tight, intense game that could have gone either way, as the quarter scores indicate. Waikohu were up 12-11 at the end of the first quarter, then YMP were ahead 26-25 at halftime and 37-36 at three-quartertime.

Both teams' players worked together, pressuring the ball carrier and creating turnovers with lots of tips and intercepts.

They had to work hard to get the ball in to their shooters with all attackers trying different options.

YMP's lob in to shooter Paku-Jane Skudder was impressive and Waikohu's quick pass in to Arahia Tuhua as she scooted along the baseline worked well for them.

The scoring went virtually goal for goal. Both teams would pull ahead by one or two goals and then be pulled back.

With five minutes to go, YMP had gone from being on level terms at 43-all to be leading 45-43.

Then YMP capitalised on a couple of errors caused by pressure on Waikohu. In the twinkling of an eye, YMP added five goals to be leading 50-43.

Waikohu's Cheryl Te Rito said she and her co-coach, Pania Tomoana, were proud of the way their girls hung in there last night.

“We just let it get away from us in the last few minutes,” Te Rito said.

“It was a really good effort by the girls. We've just got to work on what we do in the final few minutes.

“Fatigue may have been a factor for us last night and towards the end we misdirected a few passes that cost us.

“But there's a whole round to go and last night's result gives us more to work on.”

Efforts to contact YMP coach Ingrid Brown were unsuccessful.

The points situation at the end of Round 2 has YMP (1) on 20, Claydens Waikohu (1) on 16, JT Contractors Horouta Gold on 9, Whangara Old Girls on 8, F45 High School Old Girls on 6 and Gillies Electrical Gisborne Girls' High School Senior A on 5.

Round 3 started last night in the match between Girls' High and High School Old Girls, and what a fist the students made of it.

They won 61-39, and led all the way — 18-8, 31-19 and 44-29.

The whole team worked together for the full hour and moved the ball at speed through the court.

The students started well, took a 5-1 lead after a couple of minutes and never looked back by increasing the margin at each quarter.

HSOG made changes but Girls' High were determined to win.

Spectators at the YMCA enjoyed the display of netball skills in both games.