“What a game. What a finish,” said elated Whangara skipper Tiara Weir, who was in that 2016 championship-winning team.
“I’ve been at a lot of finals over the years and this was one of the best ever,” said stalwart Whangara coach Ronnie Martin, who has now been at the helm of the side in 16 finals since the top-four playoffs format was adopted in 2004.
Netball commentator Sherrill Beale agreed.
“It was a very closely contested game for the whole 68 minutes,” Beale said. “It was so exciting, with great netball skills on display and enjoyed by a huge crowd with each team’s supporters urging their side on.”
YMP were up 12-8 after the first 15 minutes, it was 25-all at halftime and Whangara led 40-39 heading into the fourth quarter.
Normal time ended with the teams locked at 51-all.
Two three-minute periods of extra time were played, and it was tit for tat before ending 56-all, meaning the game would continue until one team went two goals in front.
In that period, amid the deafening roar from the packed Y crowd, Whangara went a goal ahead, then came the moment that decided the champions as Rangihuna found space near the net and calmly popped the ball in, sparking rapturous celebrations among her squad and the Whangara support contingent.
Beale said every player on the court worked hard on attack and defence. There were impressive intercepts, superb passing, tight marking and quality shooting throughout.
“For Whangara, shooters Nadia Whaitiri-White and HInewaipounamu worked together well. Nadia moved speedily in and around the goal circle, directing where the ball should go and delivered some great lobs into Hine.
“Hinewaipounamu was a little nervous at the start of the game, but was more confident in the next quarters and slotted some very good goals.
“At the end of the 60 minutes, a contact penalty was called on YMP’s defenders and Hine had the chance to score the winning goal, but those nerves returned and she missed. However, she was back to her confident self in extra time and scored the last two goals to take the win,” Beale said.
“Tania Adamson had a very strong game at centre and was amongst everything on attack and defence. She was very speedy through the court, linking both ends with her strong passes, and was quick to tip, intercept and collect loose balls at every opportunity.
“Midcourters Taryn Walford, Ella Hurley and Saffron Eparaima worked well with their team mates in pressuring the ball carriers, and were quick to pick up loose ball or be available for passes.
“Goal circle defenders Tiara Weir, Torepe Taumaunu and Te Aria Henwood worked tirelessly in the goal third. They hunted the ball and made their presence felt in the goal circle by gettng tips, intercepts and rebounds.
“For YMP, Paku-Jane Skudder had a strong game at goal shoot. She is very adept at holding her opposition and then stepping back into the space to collect the high lob and finish off with goals.
“Paku-Jane did that often but she also combined well with Jayda Banks and they moved the goal circle well to give their passers options.
“Jayda drove strongly into the goal circle and there were some very good shooter-to-shooter passes.
“Ata Mangu, who was opposing Tania Adamson for half of the game and then moved into wing defence, was another player who never stopped and was in the midst of everything,” Beale said.
“Their other midcourters — Grace Tahuri, Lyric Wesch and Maia Rickard — worked together across the court and made it more difficult for Whangara to get the ball through. They were quick to capitalise on any turnovers and Grace delivered some very good ball into her shooters.
“Defenders Bronya McMenamin, Kawaiwhakaheke Winiata and Iresha Carrington-Hingston positioned themselves well to pressure Whangara’s shooters. Bronya cleverly jumped several shots and created turnovers.
“It was a very good game, ably officiated by Shanan Gray and Selena Sanders-Taylor.
“The crowd added to the atmosphere with cheering through the game and then singing during the breaks.”
Whangara captain Weir said she was so proud of her team.
“We held our composure and were very disciplined. To win today is an amazing feeling for all of us, and we have done it with a brand new team, which feels even more amazing. Thanks to our supporters who have been with us all the way.”
Centre Tania Adamson put it simply : “We worked our arses off. I am so proud of the girls. We’ve been the bridesmaids for a few years . . .now we’re on top.”
An emotional Martin echoed the pride expressed.
“We slowly improved as a team as the season went along. It took us the whole season to get where we are, but we got there. It was a hard-fought final, like going into battle. I’m so proud of the girls.”
The loss denied YMP what would have been a perfect season. They went in with a 100 percent Premier win record for 2022.
“We missed out on putting the topping on the cake, but I’m very proud of our team,” she said. “Big thanks to the whanau who came along to support us and got us to the final.”
Netball New Zealand president Tina Karaitiana presented the medals and awards after the final.
Whangara Old Girls were awarded the Jan Duncan Memorial as champions.
YMP won the Jan Duncan Trophy. They also won the Maori Women’s Welfare League Cup for highest goal average (goals scored) and the Bess Logan Memorial Cup for the lowest goal average (goals conceded) for the Premier Grade.
This was the third season in a row YMP have won those goal average awards.
