Whangara Old Girls goal shoot Hinewaipounamu Rangihuna reaches for a high ball under pressure from Ngatapa defender Hannah Hutchinson in Premier Grade netball action in the YMCA. Newly-promoted Ngatapa led 28-27 at halftime but Whangara powered away in the second half to win 66-45. Picture by Paul Rickard
Premier grade newcomers Ngatapa and YMP (2) produced better performances but still succumbed to the superior skills and experience of more highly ranked opponents in senior netball in the YMCA on Saturday.
Claydens Waikohu (1) defeated Character Roofing YMP ( 2) 63-44.
Whangara Old Girls came from a goal behind at halftime to beat Farmlands Ngatapa 66-45
Waikohu led all the way — 18-8 at the first-quarter break, 32-19 at halftime and 45-34 at the three-quarter mark.
They played with confidence, moved the ball quickly through the court, timing their movement to collect passes, and always had more than one option to call on.
Shooters Marcia Beale and Ashleigh Brown moved around the goal circle well while midcourters, Princess and Pania Tomoana, delivered good ball.
At the other end, defenders Ritihia Kingi, Humaria Higgins and Panache Hale formed a staunch unit together across the centre and goal third, creating pressure and collecting intercepts and tips.
Despite the scoreline, YMP (2) turned in good passages of play where they pressured the ball going down the court, and defenders Meri Rauna and Toni Halley were able to collect intercepts.
YMP (2) shooter Ngarita Ehau-Taumaunu moved the circle impressively to give her attackers options and hauled in some well-timed lob passes.
YMP (2) can take positives from the game, particularly the third quarter which they won by two goals.
Whangara Old Girls were pushed hard by Ngatapa in the opening two quarters.
Whangara used their speed and long-ball game to lead 17-14 at the end of the opening 15 minutes, but Ngatapa played a more controlled passing game and positioned themselves well as they fought back to take a surprise 28-27 lead into the halftime break.
Whangara made changes at halftime, came out focused, continued their zippy play and steadily pulled ahead to be leading by nine at the three-quarter mark.
Centre Tania Adamson had an excellent game, efficiently and effectively linking both ends of the court.
She and wing attack Taryn Walford like to play the game at speed and combined nicely around the goal circle to deliver quality ball to their shooters.
Nardia Whaitiri-White and Hinewaipounamu Rangihuna, responded by lifting their goal percentages.
The defence end was strong as well, with Ella Hurley and Torepe Taumaunu maintaining pressure and pouncing on mistakes and loose ball. They were assisted on the outside by Zoey Briant in the first half and Saffron Eparaima in the second.
Ngatapa goal defence Hannah Hutchinson was their stand-out as she hunted the ball at every opportunity
Mid-court attackers Lucy Deighton and Jayda Taiepa showed they are developing a good understanding of each’s others games to work the ball more cleanly into shooters Georgia Oliver and Hannah Little.
Other results (* denotes losing bonus point for scoring within three goals) —
Premier Reserve/A Grade: Old Girls Whangara 27 FarmCare HSOG 25*, Waikohu P2 27 GGHS Snr B 27, YMP Masters 25 The Tav Sportsfit 25, HSOG 37 Whalis 36*.
A Reserve: GGHS Jnr A 40 Enterprise Cars OBM Blue 18, YMP HineTaiohi Whakato 28 Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 21, Campion Snr A 38 Tyre General Ngatapa 23.
1st Grade: Thistle Storm 32 Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 18, Horouta Hiriwa 30 Brendan Fry Builder Sportsfit OG 24, Claydens Waikohu 4 55 OBM White 17.
1st Reserve: Allwood Enterprises HSOG 34 Uawa Nui 16, Whatatutu 30 OBM OG 25, XLR8 21 GGHS Tuakana 19*.
2nd Grade: YMP Manawanui 28 Tatapouri Sportsfit 2 19, Horouta Kohatu 28 Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 26*.
Patricia Corson was ever-present in results from Friday to Thursday.