Netball clashes entertaining

Two late night premier netball matches with similar scorelines kept spectators entertained at Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000 tonight.

Pelorus came out on the wrong side of a high-scoring clash with the Men’s Invitation side, losing 56-44, while Tokomaru continued to set the pace in round three, backing up their win on week one with a gritty 54-46 victory over a Harlequins Grove Tavern side who made them work hard throughout.

Both the late evening games were tight until the final quarter.

The Men held a slender 39-37 advantage going into the final 15 minutes of their match but upped the ante on both attack and defence to hand Pelorus their second defeat in three days, after the Dark Blues were beaten in the Tasman Trophy decider on Sunday.

Luke Richardson and Jacob Collins were solid at both ends of the court for the victors, while Nick Rayner and Brody Simpson shone in midcourt.

Jordy Peipi was again a standout in the GD bib for the champions, while Courtney Taufa put in a big shift on attack, shooting a solid percentage. Defender Ella Smith also had a good night, relishing her battle with the experienced duo of Richardson and Shiloh Walsh.

In the other late match, Tokomaru had a tough job shaking off the attentions of the Quins GT crew, the Picton side holding a tenuous 39-36 advantage at three quarter time. However, they also raised their game in the final stages, torrid defence allowing them to put up 21 shots to their rival’s 12, with shooter Dakota Tepuia carrying the majority of the scoring load. She was well supported by defender Ellen Barr plus middies Rebecca Mark and Kayla Wilson.

The indefatigable Wiri Bristowe, who played for both Harlequins sides, provided a lively sparkplug at the centre of the Quins attack, while Aston Underwood, who had a stint in the GS bib, Kaya Walsh and Tyler O’Donnell also caught the eye.

The evening’s first match saw Harlequins Totalspan bounce back from a first week loss to down Marlborough Girls’ College 70-41.

The Quins, who also played in the Tasman Trophy at the weekend, registering a win and a loss, dominated this one throughout.

They managed a steady flow of possession to primary shooter Jorja Bacchus and Bristowe, putting up 85 shots to their opponent’s 66. Bridget Gane and Zara Jopson maintained a high work rate while Jack Frew and Delyth James-Sitters ensured any errant passes or shots were picked off on defence.

Sophia Nicholas and Elizabeth Bowron toiled hard at the heart of the student’s attack while Violet Speakman and Jah’Bree MacDonald had plenty of good moments in their defensive roles.

There are three more weeks of round three action to go before the semifinals on August 19.

Scores:

Harlequins Totalspan 70 (Jorja Bacchus 45/52, Wiri Bristowe 25/33) Marlborough Girls’ College Liquid Action 41 (Jaye Wiapo 11/15, Anna Hurren 4/12, Sophia Nicholas 26/38). Quarter scores (winning team first): 20-8, 17-11, 20-11, 13-11.

Marlborough Men 56 (Luke Richardson 38/47, Shiloh Walsh 18/28) Pelorus Edridge Contracting 44 (Courtney Taufa 17/23, Paige Lovell 27/42). Quarter scores (winning team first): 10-13 10-11, 19-13, 17-7.

Tokomaru 54 (Hana Wilson 11/25, Dakota Tepuia 43/58) Harlequins Grove Tavern 46 (Aston Underwood 11/29, Tegan Bayley 7/9, Wiri Bristowe 25/31, Monja Oberholzer 3/5). Quarter scores (winning team first): 15-10, 13-12, 11-14, 15-10.

Points: Tokomaru 6, Pelorus 3, Harlequins Totalspan 3, Marlborough Girls' College 0, Harlequins GT 0.