Pelorus march on

If there was ever any doubt that Pelorus Edridge Contracting are red hot favourites for the 2025 premier netball title, the defending champs extinguished them at Stadium 2000 tonight.

The Dark Blues imperiously rolled past Tokomaru, a side which has strung a recent series of promising results together, beating the Picton crew 63-35 with a performance that suggests all their requisite parts are in fine working order leading into the final few weeks of the season.

Despite missing a couple of regulars, Pelorus were soon into their work and slowly but surely stretched away for their rivals, who never stopped trying but had real difficulty getting quality ball into their shooters. The circle defence of Ella Smith and Jordy Peipi was outstanding, turning over a plethora of ball. In total, Pelorus put up 81 shots, 65 of them by in-form shooter Paige Lovell, while Toko had just 48 goal attempts.

Toko, who were well served by Teish O’Connell, Shannon McManaway and Kayla Wilson, have some work to do before the play-offs if they are to go all the way this season, but it is hard to see them bridging the gap after tonight’s affair. If they are looking for silver linings they can point to the fact that three of the four quarters were relatively close, a 21-6 blowout in the third exaggerating their margin of defeat.

The evening’s early encounter featured Marlborough Girls’ College and Harlequins Grove Tavern, fourth and fifth-placed respectively leading into the match. Based on form, the match loomed as a virtual decider for the fourth place in the forthcoming semifinals.

After winning their previous two encounters (30-22 and 45-44) the students were favourites and justified their supporters’ faith with a solid 52-40 win.

This was one of the MGC side’s better efforts of a tough season, their improved on-court chat and energy underpinning a display that bodes well for future encounters, especially at college level.

Sophia Nicholas and Jaye Wiapo combined well in the attacking circle, Elizabeth Bowron, Bree Flynn and Sophie Moore added drive in midcourt while Sophia Saggers, Violet Speakman, Tilly Tupuoto'a and and Jah’Bree MacDonald excelled in defence.

Aston Underwood, Wiri Bristowe, Hayley Jopson and Kaya Walsh and Tegan Bayly ensured Quins stayed in the fight throughout but they could not get their side over the line, meaning they will miss out on the play-offs as their final game does not count for points.

The final match of an entertaining evening saw Harlequins Totalspan up against the Marlborough Men’s Invitation side. This loomed as an even contest and so it proved, the Men leading by just four at halftime before going on to prevail 52-42.

Quins started strongly but lost influential shooter Jorja Bacchus to an ankle injury early in the piece. Lauren Murray, who has just returned to the country, was an able replacement and, alongside Celine Barnes, kept the score ticking over.

However, the Men slowly edged clear with the free-flowing, spectacular style they bring each week.

Jack Frew, in defence for Quins, had his work cut out trying to contain vastly-experienced shooters Luke Richardson and Shiloh Walsh, but managed some defensive stops, alongside the ever-improving Delyth James-Sitters.

A feature of this match was the officiating efforts of Nelson-based Myron Elkington, the only internationally-qualified umpire in the Mainland region.

Next week, the final round before semis, Toko take on MGC, Pelorus battle Harlequins Totalspan while the Men will play their final match, against Quins GT.

Scores:

Marlborough Girls’ College Liquid Action 52 (Jaye Wiapo 25/35, Sophia Nicholas 27/31) Harlequins Grove Tavern 40 (Tegan Bayley 5/8, Wiri Bristowe 35/43). Quarter scores (winning team first): 13-11, 12-10, 14-9, 13-10.

Marlborough Men 52 (Luke Richardson 34/48, Shiloh Walsh 18/31) Harlequins Totalspan 42 (Celine Barnes 9/21, Lauren Murray 25/43, Jorja Bacchus 8/11) Quarter scores (winning team first): 12-11, 13-11, 16-10, 11-10.

Pelorus Edridge Contracting 63 (Paige Lovell 53/65, Courtney Taufa 5/8, Laura Evans 5/8) Tokomaru 35 (Dakota Tepuia 12/21, Kayla Wilson 10/12, Hana Wilson 13/15). Quarter scores (winning team first): 14-8, 14-11, 21-6, 14-10.

Points: Pelorus 9, Harlequins Totalspan 6, Tokomaru 6, MGC 3, Harlequins Grove Tavern 0.