Saturday 20th April 2024
After securing a draw in Game 1, Waikato Bay of Plenty were on the hunt for a win. The team had spent the week developing their structures and combinations and continued to build their connections through court.
The team departed for Wellington on Saturday morning, a couple of the flights being delayed due to weather, but the girls kept positive, landed in Wellington, and went straight to their Captain’s Run.
The team entered the arena in high spirits, ready to play hard. The first quarter saw a very tight battle with both teams going goal for goal most of the quarter. We saw three intercepts by Ashley Maylor, Ariana Cable-Dixon and Reeghan de Bono, and Kate Taylor missing one shot out of an impressive 18 attempts. The team ending the high scoring quarter 19-19. Quarter score: 19 – 19 Draw
In the second quarter WBOP continued to grind forcing Central Manawa to make a few errors. WBOP picking up 5 gains and 3 intercepts, allowing them to have a few runs of 3 goals during the quarter. The team winning the quarter 22 – 15. Half time score: 41 – 34 to WBOP
The third quarter saw Central Manawa tidy up their play by only conceding 1 error. WBOP struggled to keep a consistent flow allowing Central Manawa to have a run of 4 goals and a run of 6 goals near the end of the quarter. Central Manawa winning the quarter 19 – 10. Three quarter score: 51 – 53 to Central Manawa
The last quarter, both teams were fighting hard, unfortunately during the quarter WBOP made 10 general play turnovers allowing Central Manawa to extend their lead in the last 10 minutes of the match. Central Manawa winning the quarter 14 – 8. Full time score: 67 – 59 to Central Manawa
Both teams had a great start and we saw some awesome skills & talent displayed by both teams. Kate Taylor finished the game shooting 48/51 – 94%.
