Ngatapa’s turn to take on top seeds at the YMCA

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The other new team in Premier Grade netball, Ngatapa, face a tough task tonight when they front up to in-form YMP in the YMCA.

Turanga FM YMP racked up over 80 goals against newly promoted YMP (2) in the Pak’nSave competition at the weekend.

YMP (2) had no answer to the reigning champions when it came to flow, possession and goal-scoring, so it will be interesting to see how the Farmlands Ngatapa women fare tonight from 7.30pm.

Top seeds YMP, unbeaten this season, are obviously heavily favoured to win the contest handsomely, while Ngatapa will be out to do everything they can to keep the scoreline respectable.

Key to that will be working  as hard as possible on defence and denying YMP  cheap turnover possession.

“At the beginning of Round 2, the top- and bottom-ranked teams play each other, which is a tough introduction for teams like YMP (2) and Ngatapa, who have just joined the grade,” Gisborne Netball Centre manager Allisa Hall said. “But on the positive side, the new teams do get to develop resilience quite quickly.

“Also, moving from 40-minute-long games on the courts outside to hour-long games in the YMCA does take a bit of getting used to.”

The 6pm game tonight promises to be a different affair with Gisborne Girls’ High Senior A taking on Horouta Koura.

“I’m looking forward to that game,” Hall said. “It will be a good match-up I reckon.”

The students have been developing well and having beaten Horouta 35-23 in Round 1  go in as slight favourites.

Supporters of all four teams will no doubt be out in force tonight urging their teams along.