One-point win by Whangara

Waikohu’s Ashleigh Brown scoops up a pass as Horouta wing defence Ashley Tuari tries to block, during Waikohu Prem (1)’s 48-30 win against Horouta Koura in the premier grade. Picture by Paul Rickard

Waikohu, Whangara Old Girls and YMP (1) had wins in premier grade netball on Saturday at Victoria Domain  . . . but Whangara got theirs by the skin of their teeth.

The best of the Pak’nSave premiership games was definitely between Whangara Old Girls and Character Roofing YMP (2). Whangara won it 22-21, with a bonus point to YMP (2).

It was a close, competitive game throughout, as the quarter scores show  —  4-4, 12-9 to Whangara, 18-14 to Whangara.

Both teams made changes, trying to get the upper hand, but to no avail as the opposition remained in touch.

Whangara will be happy to sneak through with the win, while YMP (2) have to be content with a bonus point for their close loss.

The premier action started on Saturday with a match-up between Claydens Waikohu Prem (1) and TR Builds Horouta Koura, won by Waikohu 48-30.

It was a close first quarter, 9-8 to Waikohu, but they put their foot down in the second period to outscore Horouta by 15 goals to 6, to be ahead by 10 goals at halftime, 24-14.

Waikohu continued to build on their lead , up 35-24 at the three-quarter mark.

On attack they moved the ball speedily through the court to their shooters Marcia Beale and Princess Tomoana, who finished off with some very good goals.

At the other end, goal circle defenders Karen Matiaha, Humaria Higgins and Alex Sinclair worked together to pressure balls being passed to Horouta’s shooters, and secured many tips and intercepts.

Horotua Koura tried different combinations but could not stop Waikohu’s flow.

In the third premier match Turanga FM YMP (1) beat Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A 29-18.

The winners led all the way, 7-4 , 15-10, 20-14.

YMP (1) took the lead from the start by moving the ball at speed and all players working together.

However, Girls’ High also worked well and stopped their more experienced opposition from building a large scoreline, as YMP have done in their last two games.

Other senior results ( bonus point for a scoring margin of three goals or less)

Premier Reserve: East Coast Roofing OG Whangara 22 Claydens Waikohu P2 15, East Coast Roofing OG Whangara 32 Aorangi Contracting HSOG 20, Steve Craill Builder Ngatapa 35 TR Builds Horouta Taimana 8.

A Grade: First Light Electrical GGHS Snr B 23 Claydens Waikohu (2) 19, Brendan Fry Builders Sportsfit (1) 39 Pioneer 13.

A Reserve: YMP Hine Taiohi Whakato 33 Gis Glass Ngatapa 17, GGHS Jnr A 27 Campion A 14.

1st Grade: Uawa Ngarangikahiwa 30 Whangara Paikea 18, Claydens Waikohu Social A 26 OBM Blue 25, OBM Blue 31 Smash Palace Sportsfit (2) 30.

1st Reserve: TR Builds Horouta Hiriwa 23 Allwood Enterprises HSOG 18,  Claydens Waikohu Social B 37 Allwood Enterprises HSOG 12, Turanga Pirates Manawa 25 Tatapouri Sportsfit GCs 21.

2nd Grade: OBM OG 36 YMP Manawanui 20, Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 35 Newman & Newman Ngatapa 13.