Pelorus hold their nerve

Pelorus and Harlequins Totalspan warmed up for Saturday’s outdoor top-of-the-table battle with differing premier netball victories at Stadium 2000 tonight.

In the early match, Quins came up against the Marlborough Girls’ College side and prevailed 54-31, winning each quarter and maintaining a slight edge throughout.

The task was not so easy for Pelorus, who were given their toughest challenge of an unbeaten season, holding their nerve to edge out the Marlborough Men’s Invitation side 54-51 in a match which did not count for competition points.

The evening’s third match saw Tokomaru battle their way to a 44-29 victory over the winless Harlequins Grove Tavern crew.

However, it was the Pelorus v Men’s clash that captured the most interest tonight.

No-one would have predicted a close encounter after the early stages, the defending champs registering eight goals before the Men troubled the scorers.

Thankfully for those seeking an exciting clash, the Men lifted their accuracy and the match quickly levelled out, although Pelorus still held a handy 32-18 lead at the halftime break.

The Men’s side have always been able to score quickly though and went on a tear in the third period, which they won 19-10, to close the gap to five.

With four minutes of the final quarter remaining the Men had levelled the scores at 49-49 and had momentum. However, Pelorus are a champion side and again showed their ability to lift their game under pressure, Jordy Peipi and Izzy Tupuoto’a claiming precious turnovers to rob the Men of possession at vital times and allow their shooters to ice the game.

Goal attack Courtney Taufa also played a big part in Pelorus’s success, along with centre Kelsie Fitzpatrick, while Paige Lovell, who sat out the third quarter, was again a tower of strength under the attacking hoop.

Defender Josh Tapp, centre Brody Simpson, the reliable shooting duo of Luke Richardson and Shiloh Walsh, plus former MGC and Quins defender Poppy Lane and Tash Ford were instrumental in ensuring Pelorus were tested throughout.

In the early match, the MGC side again showed glimpses of form, led by Sophia Nicholas, JahBree MacDonald, Tilly Tupuoto’a and Violet Speakman, but were not able to do enough with the possession they had.

Quins, on the other hand, converted readily and defended stoutly, Delyth James-Sitters, Aleisha Smith and Mikayla Avant to the fore.

Tokomaru took some time to get on top of Harlequins Grove Tavern in the other late encounter.

Their defence, led by the hard-working Teish O’Connell and Eden Hika, created plenty of turnovers but they were often unable to make the most of their 70-47 possession imbalance.

Heidi Cuttle, Sammi Williams and Bianca Oliver looked lively during time on court, showing out for a side which does not give up despite having a tough season.

The action moves outdoors on Saturday, all three games being contested at Lansdowne Park.

The big clash will involve Pelorus and Harlequins Totalspan, who meet for the second time this season. Whichever side adapts quickest to the outdoor environment will have an advantage.

In the other matches, the Men play Harlequins GT while MGC will take on Tokomaru.

Scores:

Harlequins Totalspan 54 (Celine Barnes 2/5, Lauren Murray 2/2, Jorja Bacchus 50/63) Marlborough Girls’ College Liquid Action 31 (Jaye Wiapo 14/22, Anna Hurren 11/22, Sophia Nicholas 6/13). Quarter scores (winning team first): 14-8, 12-7, 17-11, 11-5.

Pelorus Edridge Contracting 54 (Courtney Taufa 17/25, Laura Evans 7/11, Paige Lovell 30/36) Marlborough Men 51 (Luke Richardson 40/51, Shiloh Walsh 11/20). Quarter scores (winning team first): 15-8, 17-10, 10-19, 12-14.

Tokomaru 44 (Hana Wilson 19/33, Dana Wilson 4/6, Dakota Tepuia 21/31) Harlequins Grove Tavern 29 (Tegan Bayley 9/11, Wiri Bristowe 18/29, Monja Oberholzer 2/7). Quarter scores (winning team first): 14-7, 7-8, 14-9, 9-5.