Premier Grade promotion for YMP 2, Ngatapa

YMP (2) goal shoot Ngarita Ehau-Taumaunu and Horouta Koura goal defence Charlize Ngarimu at full stretch as they contest a high ball into the circle in a Premier Grade/Premier Reserve Challenge game at Victoria Domain on Saturday. Horouta won 53-20. Picture by Paul Rickard

by Sherrill Beale

Despite heavy losses in their two Challenge games, YMP (2) and Farmlands Ngatapa have been promoted to Premier Grade this season, creating a seven-team competition.

The Gisborne Netball Centre board has also decided Premier Reserve and A Grade teams will play one round together and then split for the final round of the Pak’nSave competition.

Challengers won half of the 24 Challenge games played across the grades at Victoria Domain on Saturday.

In the Premier Grade Challenge matches, Horouta Koura beat YMP (2) 53-20 and Gisborne Girls’ High School Senior A beat Farmlands Ngatapa 60-28.

Horouta Koura are a good mix of youth and experience, and showed strong development in their understanding and awareness of each other.

On defence they connected well throughout the court and made YMP (2) work for every pass.

Skye Swann collected many intercepts in the midcourt area and Lucretia Taitapanui was a menace in the goal circle, securing intercepts and rebounds.

YMP (2) tightened their defence after the first quarter and restricted some of Horouta’s free flow of ball, but Horouta counteracted by executing triangle passes around the goal circle to work the ball to shooters Lexi Rutene, O’Shae Rangihaeta and Ashley Maka.

YMP (2) have a few former Premier Grade players and, when given the chance, they were able to display their skills.

Even though the scoreline blew out, YMP (2) had some good passages, moving the ball at speed through the court to their shooters.

GGHS Snr A have shown more confidence in their last few outings and are moving the ball well by working together on attack and defence.

Their speed helps them elude opponents and drive on to the ball as their play flows effortlessly through the court.

On defence, all players hunt the ball and put pressure on the ball carrier, and they quickly capitalise on the turnovers created.

Farmlands Ngatapa are adept at disrupting the speedy flow of the ball, thanks to sound defensive positioning and tips that lead to turnovers.

They have a good awareness of their teammates and play controlled netball, working the ball through the court to their shooters.

Other results — Premier Reserve/A Grade: Old Girls Whangara 41 The Tav Sportsfit 22, YMP Masters 32 Waikohu P2 18; Old Girls Whangara 32 Waikohu P2 21, YMP Masters 40 Sportsfit 26.

A Grade/A Reserve: GGHS Snr B 35 Enterprise Cars OBM Blue 31, Whalis 32 Claydens Waikohu (2) 28; Whalis 46 OBM Blue 23, Waikohu (2) 37 GGHS Snr B 30.

A Reserve/1st Grade: GGHS Jnr A 34 Tyre General Ngatapa 23, Campion Snr A 31 Brendan Fry Builder Sportsfit OG 17, Campion Snr A 28 Ngatapa 17; GGHS Jnr A 40 Sportsfit OG 18.

First Grade/First Reserve: Horouta Hiriwa 29 GGHS Tuakana 16, Horouta Hiriwa 32 Allwood Enterprises HSOG 22; Thistle Storm 38 HSOG 18, Thistle Storm 42 GGHS Tuakana 13.

First Reserve/Second Grade: Waikohu (4) 48 Tatapouri Sportsfit Social 17, Waikohu (4) 58 Sportsfit (2) 14, Whatatutu 29 Sportsfit (2) 15, Whatatutu 43 Sportsfit Social 22.