Round one to Pelorus

If Pelorus Edridge Contracting laid down a marker to their premier netball rivals last week, tonight they drove a stake into the Stadium 2000 floor.

Expectation had been building as Pelorus and Harlequins Totalspan made their respective way in unbeaten style to tonight’s match, a battle for first round honours and a chance for early boasting rights.

In the end it was clear-cut. Pelorus, the reigning champs, were in imperious form, able to shuffle players on and off from a powerful bench while maintaining enough momentum to build a 20-goal advantage at the final whistle, the scoreline 50-30.

Possession was one-sided, Pelorus putting up 68 shots to their rival’s 46, as Harlequins’ ball was frequently turned over through a combination of energetic defence and inaccuracy.

Pelorus welcomed the indomitable Paige Lovell back into the shooting circle and the fleet-footed Stormy Tupara back into midcourt, both playing the full hour and having a telling effect on the outcome.

Initially, Lovell teamed up with Courtney Taufa in the shooting circle, Tupara joined Kelsie Fitzpatrick and Jordy Peipi in midcourt while Oriana Houra and Izzy Tupouto’a were a potent force at the defensive end.

Harlequins used just eight players, missing the experienced Lauren Murray and Delyth James-Sitters tonight. Jorja Bacchus and Celine Barnes handled the shooting duties, making the most of the limited ball they received, Bridget Gane, Aleisha Smith and Zara Jopson operated in midcourt while Jack Frew and Mickayla Avant patrolled the defensive circle.

Quins kept pace with the Dark Blues in the early forays but by quarter time they trailed by four. A 15-7 second quarter stretched Pelorus’s advantage to 12 goals and the writing was on the wall.

To their credit Harlequins fought hard until the final whistle, contesting ball the length of the court. Frew picked up some valuable loose ball at the back, Bacchus shot at 72 percent and Gane ran hard all game, but ultimately they had to bow to a more clinical outfit.

The fact that Pelorus has the ability to introduce players with the quality and premier experience of Brittney Lyons, Ella Smith and Laura Evans from the bench illustrates the challenge all teams will face as this season rolls on, especially if they have thoughts of dethroning such a slick combination.

The evening’s closest encounter came first, Tokomaru edging out Marlborough Girls’ College 38-34.

Both sides won two quarters apiece in a game that could have swung either way. In the end, the Toko troops showed more composure down the stretch, creating a handy lead late in the fourth quarter and defending stoutly.

Toko suffered an early blow, losing the influential Kayla Wilson to an ankle injury in the first quarter, but QCC student Taylah Biddle stepped up in the shooting circle admirably.

Rebecca Mark, Ellen Barr and Teish O’Connell shone in midcourt while Eden Hika put in a big shift on defence.

The students welcomed back Sophia Nicholas from touch duties, and battled hard to stay in touch. Jah’Bree MacDonald, Sophia Saggers and Elizabeth Bowron stood out for MGC, who will be keen to take their improved form into the second round.

The evening’s final match saw Harlequins Grove Tavern turn in their best effort of the round, holding the Men’s team to a 10-goal deficit.

The Men won 48-38 but enjoyed a lively tussle with the second Quins side, who will also be looking to build some momentum in round two, which begins next week.

Scores:

Pelorus Edridge Contracting 50 (Courtney Taufa 7/9, Laura Evans 1/5, Paige Lovell 42/54) Harlequins Totalspan 30 (Celine Barnes 9/17, Jorja Bacchus 21/29). Quarter scores (winning team first): 11-7, 15-7, 13-8, 11-8.

Marlborough Men 48 (Luke Richardson 18/33, Shiloh Walsh 7/11, Jacob Collins 23/40) Harlequins Grove Tavern 38 (Sara Follows 8/11, Wiri Bristowe 14/21, Monja Oberholzer 16/30). Quarter scores (winning team first): 11-7, 14-12, 14-9, 9-10.

Tokomaru 38 (Kayla Wilson 4/6, Ramona Waikato 7/13, Taylah Biddle 27/41) Marlborough Girls’ College Liquid Action 34 (Anna Hurren 17/25, Sophia Nicholas 17/31). Quarter scores (winning team first): 8-9, 14-9, 7-11, 9-5.

Points: Pelorus 12, Harlequins Totalspan 9, Tokomaru 6, MGC 4, Harlequins Grove Tavern 0.