Upset win for Whangara

Battling display: Tania Hill (catching the ball under pressure from Amoe Wharehinga, of Ritana) had an outstanding game at goal defence for Whangara Old Girls in their upset victory over High School Old Girls at the YMCA last night.

NETBALL

WHANGARA Old Girls pulled off the upset of the Gisborne netball season so far when they soundly defeated High School Old Girls at the YMCA last night.

Whangara held the lead throughout this Pak’nSave premier grade match and won 48-35.

They were up 12-10 after 15 minutes, 23-17 at halftime and 34-28 at the three-quarter mark.

“Whangara found their connections to take a good win against the in-form Taste One HSOG,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said.

“Both teams gave a good display of netball skills, enjoyed by an appreciative crowd, and it was fast and furious at times.”

Beale said both teams play a similar game, driving through court and passing into space, with all players working together.

“The Whangara girls produced one of their best games this season.

“Goal defence Tania Hill played very well. She was out hunting the ball and secured many intercepts.

“She combined well with goal keep Tiara Weir and pressured the HSOG shooters at every opportunity.”

Beale said the Whangara attackers had a better understanding of each other.

“They made themselves available and worked the ball into shooters Sandy Porter and Nadia Taare.

“HSOG had their flow tested. They tried various changes but it was Whangara’s night.”

Whangara coach Ronnie Martin was thrilled with her team’s performance.

“We were ecstatic about it,” she said.

“It was started by our strong defence. That disrupted High School Old Girls’ game.

“It’s taken a bit of time to connect this season but last night the girls did that well.”

HSOG coach Tanya Owen was philosophical about the loss.

“Whangara probably played their best game of the season, and we played our worst,” she said.

“We got enough ball on defence but we just did not capitalise on attack.”

YMP Sunshine Brewery beat Claydens Waikohu (1) 57-45 in the other match at the YMCA last night.

YMP led 16-11 at quartertime, 30-24 at halftime, and 44-35 at three-quartertime.

“They edged a little further ahead each quarter,” Beale said.

“They put pressure on the ball carrier to create turnovers, which were then turned into goals.”

YMP attackers Ata Mangu, Renee Wikaire and Jayda Banks worked together well.

“They delivered some good ball into shooters Paku-Jane Skudder and Kelann Kemp,” Beale said.

“Kemp moved around the goal circle well and created space for the lob to go into Paku.

“The whole team worked together on defence and Claydens Waikohu struggled to get the ball through court at times.”

Beale said Waikohu made changes but could not stop YMP pulling ahead.