Counting down to Gisborne Premier Grade netball semi-finals
It’s semi-final time in Gisborne Premier Grade netball and two tight and tense matches are on the cards in the YMCA on Wednesday night.
One team will earn a passage straight to the grand final, but it will be the end of the season for another.
At 6pm, top qualifiers Claydens Waikohu (1) and second seeds Turanga FM YMP go toe to toe just two weeks after meeting in round-robin play.
On that occasion, Waikohu won by a single goal.
“Both teams played speedy netball in that game,” netball commentator Sherrill Beale said. “Everyone worked hard on attack and defence, and positioned themselves well to collect the ball on the run.
“That added to the pace of the encounter. It was a very good game with fantastic netball skills on display.
“The teams are evenly matched throughout the court, with fast midcourters and dogged defenders, and they will use the high lob into the shooter.
“I think the players who may hold the key are the goal attacks – Waikohu’s Princess Tomoana and YMP’s Jayda Banks. They both move in and around the goal circle and midcourt very well, quietly directing play.”
Beale said the teams were familiar with each other’s play, so she expected a highly competitive and tense duel.
To the victors goes a place in the final, while the losers will take on the winners of Wednesday’s second game between third seeds Whāngārā Old Girls and fourth seeds Horouta Gold.
“These two teams last met at the beginning of July and Whāngārā won by two goals,” Beale said. “It was very close for the full hour and could have gone either way.
“Both teams were speedy, positioned themselves well to collect the ball and delivered strong passes through the court. Everyone did their part on attack and defence.
“Now you add in the tension of semi-final time, where it’s all on the line.”
The winners stay alive for a second elimination semi, while the losers finish the season in fourth place.
Beale said big and vocal crowds were expected for both games.
Gisborne Netball Centre secondary and intermediate grade finals (played on Saturday)
Secondary A: GGHS Year 9A 22 Te Waiu 20.
Secondary B: Uawa Hinetera 33 YMP Tahi 23.
Secondary C: Campion Gerard from GGHS Whero.
Intermediate A: Ilminster Y8A 29 De Costa Enterprises Ngatapa Pulse 17.
Intermediate B: Whāngārā 18 Ilminster Y7A 14.
Intermediate C: Kaiti Whetu 17 Maui Tikawe 14.
Intermediate D: Ilminstars 18 Sonrise Thunder 11.