Comeback win to Whangara

Momentum swings were the story of a hotly-contested Premier Grade game between Whangara Old Girls (1) and Waikohu on Saturday.

Whangara won 58-53 but had to do it the hard way after Claydens Waikohu (1) bolted to a 10-goal lead in the first 15 minutes.

Whangara showed composure and came back strongly in the second spell to tie it up 30-all by halftime.

They had the better of the third quarter as well to take a 44-40 lead into the final 15 minutes before closing it out for a five-goal win.

“Waikohu got off to a dominant start, getting runs of goals and jumping out to that early 10-goal lead,” Gisborne Netball Centre manager Alissa Hall said.

“Whangara came back strong during the second quarter, scoring 19 goals to Waikohu’s nine.

“Whangara had a couple of good runs during the third period.Waikohu kept right on them but Whangara took a four-goal lead into the third-quarter break.

“The final quarter was just about goal-for-goal, with Whangara extending their lead by one further goal to take the win.

“Waikohu did pick up an all-important (losing) bonus point for their efforts,” Hall said.

In the other premier grade encounter, Horouta Koura enjoyed a comfortable 21-goal win over Character Roofing YMP (2).

They led all the way — 18-6, 34-16 and 46-26 through the quarters en route to a 58-37 victory.

“The game started virtually goal for goal and was six-all before Horouta took control of the quarter, scoring 11 goals in a row to dominate the last part of the period,” Hall said.

“YMP had a more competitive second half but Horouta had already done the damage in the opening 30 minutes to lock in the victory.”

Both games were played in the Girls’ High School gymnasium due to the unavailability of the YMCA.

Turanga FM YMP (1) lead the standings on 36 points. Waikohu and Whangara are on 21 points apiece, although Whangara have a game in hand, Horouta are on 17, Gisborne Girls’ High Senior A 12, Farmlands Ngatapa four and YMP (2) one.

“It was a great day at Victoria Domain for the other Pak’nSave competition games,” Hall said.

“It’s certainly a lovelier day at the courts when the sun is shining. “

Other senior results (* losing bonus point) — Prem Reserve/A Grade: Whalis 35 GGHS Snr B 32*, Horouta Taimana 25 The Tav Sportsfit 21, Waikohu P2 34 HSOG 24, YMP Masters 30 Down to Earth OG Whangara 36, FarmCare HSOG 43 Claydens Waikohu (2) 18.

A Reserve: YMP Hine Taiohi Whakato 36 ATS OBM Blue 30, Campion Snr A 23 GGHS Jnr A 20*, Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 38

Tyre General Ngatapa 15.

1st Grade: Brendan Fry Builder Sportsfit OG 39 OBM White 18, Claydens Waikohu 4 39 Horouta Hiriwa 26, Brendan Fry Builder Sportsfit OG 30 Horouta Hiriwa 22, Mike Pero Mortgages Thistle 22 Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 28.

1st Reserve: XLR8 21 OBM OGs 18*, GGHS Tuakana 26* Allwood Enterprises HSOG 28, Whatatutu 40 Uawa Nui 17, GGHS Tuakana 36 Uawa Nui 19.

2nd Grade: Tatapouri Sportsfit (2) 21* Gisborne Glass Ngatapa 23, YMP Manawanui 27 Horouta Kohatu 17, Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 23 Gisborne Glass Ngatapa 36.