Newbies Whāngārā no match for YMP

Old Girls Whāngārā midcourter Riata Maynard has a barrier in the form of YMP (1)'s Maia Rickard to get the ball past in a Premier Grade netball game at the YMCA on Saturday. YMP powered to a 78-25 win as they signalled their title-winning intentions. Photo / Paul Rickard

Welcome to Premier Grade netball.

On Saturday, YMP (1) racked up the highest score in the Gisborne Pak’nSave Premier Grade competition so far this season when they eclipsed newcomers Old Girls Whāngārā by more than 50 goals at the YMCA.

Turanga FM YMP dominated every facet of play. They leapt to a 19-5 lead after 15 minutes, were up 36-10 at halftime and 59-20 at three-quarter time en route to a 78-25 victory.

All players worked together for the full hour, moving strongly onto the ball and showing their vision as they delivered long passes through the court to their shooters.

They built on their lead at each quarter, and it was such an all-round team performance, with every player doing their job so well, that it is difficult to mention individuals.

OG Whāngārā made changes at the breaks, but they faced a wall of YMP players in response and the pressure forced errors, which YMP capitalised on.

The Whāngārā-YMP game was the only Premier Grade clash on Saturday. There are two games at the YMCA tomorrow night.

At 6pm, Gisborne Girls’ High Senior A play TR Builds Horouta Koura.

Claydens Waikohu Prem 1 meet Character Roofing YMP at 7.30pm.

Other senior results (bonus point for losing by three goals or less) -

Premier Reserve: Steve Craill Builder Ngātapa 32 Brendan Fry Builder Sportsfit 25, Claydens Waikohu P2 32 Aorangi Contracting HSOG 24, TR Builds Horouta Taimana 22 First Light Electrical GGHS Snr B 19.

A Grade: YMP Hine Taiohi Whakato 26 Pioneer 25, Whalis 40 Gis Glass Ngātapa 21, Claydens Waikohu (2) 31 GGHS Jnr A 21.

1st Grade: The Tyre General Ngātapa 29 Claydens Waikohu Social A 22, Claydens Waikohu Social A 32 Campion A 29, Whāngārā Paikea 33 Smash Palace Sportsfit 28, Claydens Waikohu Social B 24 OBM Blue 24.

1st Reserve: Tūranga Pirates Manawa 37 Ūawa Ngarangikahiwa 23, TR Builds Horouta Hiriwa 29 Allwood Enterprises HSOG 24.

2nd Grade: Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 27 YMP Manawanui 26, OBM OG 35 GGHS Tuakina 25.