Premier netballers set for return

The sounds of premier netball will echo around Marlborough Lines Stadium once again tonight.

Six teams are fronting up for the new season’s top tier battle.

The main change from last season is the absence of Awatere, who have dropped back to grade one and Saturday afternoon netball. Replacing them and eliminating the need for a team to sit out a bye each week, will be a Marlborough men’s side who will not be eligible for competition points.

Once again Harlequins will field two sides - HQ Totalspan and HQ Grove Tavern. Pelorus, last season’s champs, return with a familiar side, while Tokomaru and Marlborough Girls’ College senior A are also back for Tuesday night battles.

Pelorus, who defeated Harlequins in an enthralling final last season, will start as firm favourites with most of their title-winning team returning. Club stalwarts such as Paige Lovell, Laura Evans, Jordy Peipi, Courtney Taufa, Kelsie Fitzpatrick and Brittney Lyons have formed the nucleus of the team for several seasons and know how to win a premiership.

The Harlequins Totalspan side will have evergreen centre Bridget Gane and the versatile Lauren Murray back to direct operations, while shooter Jorja Bacchus will add depth in the shooting circle after stepping up from the other Quins side.

The second HQ side is more developmental, although Bianca Oliver, Aston Underwood and Kaya Walsh bring plenty of premier experience.

Tokomaru will again field a strong combination, the notable absentee being the ever-reliable Gemma Hika. However, with high-calibre operators such as Kayla Wilson, player/coach Teish O’Connell, Ramona Waikato and Shannon McManaway to call on they will be very competitive.

As usual, the Marlborough Girls’ College side has lost some key personnel from the previous campaign. However, in Sophia Nicholas, Elizabeth Bowron, Bree Flynn, Liz Pousima, Sophia Saggers and Violet Speakman they have a group of talented players with premier pedigree to call on.

Premier teams:  

Harlequins Totalspan: Mikayla Avant, Jorja Bacchus, Celine Barnes, Jack Frew, Bridget Gane, Delyth James-Sitters, Zara Jopson, Lauren Murray, Aleisha Smith. Coach: Lesley Wilson.

Harlequins Grove Tavern: Tegan Bayly, Heidi Cuttle, Sara Follows, Samantha Williams, Hayley Jopson, Monja Oberholzer, Tyler O’Donnell, Bianca Oliver, Aston Underwood, Kaya Walsh. Coach: Wiri Bristowe.

Tokomaru Crafar Crouch: Jade Shallcrass, Kayla Wilson, Ramona Waikato, Shannon McManaway, Rebecca Mark, Shekereih Ward, Hayley Turoa, Teish O’Connell, Dakota Tepuia, Eden Hika. Coach: Teish O’Connell.

Marlborough Girls’ College senior A: Elizabeth Bowron, Bree Flynn, Anna Hurren, Jah’Bree MacDonald, Sophia Nicholas, Liz Pousima, Sophia Saggers, Violet Speakman, Tilly Tupouto’a, Jaye Wiapo. Coaches: Michelle Stagg and Megan McKendry.

Pelorus: Paige Lovell, Laura Evans, Renei Te Pairi, Jordy Peipi, Oriana Houra, Ella Smith, Courtney Taufa, Stormy Tupara, Kelsie Fitzpatrick, Brittney Lyons, Izzy Tupouto’a. Coach Tash Cook.

Marlborough men: Jacob Collins, Shiloh Walsh, Nick Rayner, Luke Richardson, Johnny Joseph, Jared Lock and Josh Tapp.

Senior, social and year 7&8 Future FERNS leagues begin on May 3, Future FERNS year 5&6 start on May 10 while Future FERNS year 1-4 Friday night competition begins on May 9.