Netball matches close

The word around the netball scene pre-season was that the 2026 premier competition was shaping up to be one of the closest for some time.

After tonight’s matches at Stadium 2000 it seems that the pundits were pretty close to the mark.

Two of tonight’s matches, both between teams eligible to compete for the title this year, were decided by six goals or less, underlining the more balanced make-up of the five premier contenders in 2026.

In the early match, defending champs Pelorus enjoyed a battle royal with Marlborough Girls’ College, eventually getting home 48-42.

At the three quarter mark the students trailed by 11 but fought their way back into the match in the final 15 minutes, closing the gap to four before running out of steam.

Pelorus defenders Oriana Houra, Izzy Tupouto’a and Liv Matthews again excelled as a unit while Mele Moli and Stormy Tupara brought speed and accuracy to midcourt, accurate and hard-working shooters Courtney Taufa and Anel Moli benefitting from their consistent feeding.

MGC shuffled their deck constantly, ensuring all 10 players had regular court time. Sophia Nicholas, JahBree MacDonald, Violet Speakman, Bree Flynn and Anna Hurren caught the eye in another morale-boosting effort from the youngsters who, if they eliminate the one bad quarter from their performance, will be an on-going threat.

The evening's final match-up was even closer, Central maintaining their unbeaten run with a thrilling 57-55 win against Harlequins.

This one was tight throughout. Pelorus all the way through the three-quarter mark, but then lost the lead, only to regain it in the final minutes.

After trailing narrowly for most of the match, Quins moved ahead 44-43 five minutes into the final stanza and from there the sides went goal for goal, until an Quins' error in the final minute gifted Central a turnover and, with the in-form duo of Jess Prosser and Celine Barnes shooting well at the other end, they clinically made the most of it.

Liv Hodson impressed in defence for the victors, along with the inspirational Kelsie Fitzpatrick and fellow middie Sophie Robinson.

Harlequins' Jorja Bacchus was again a reliable target under the hoop, Ryleigh Gale and Paige O’Brien impressed in midcourt while Wendy Trolove showed she is finding her form after time off with a solid display in defence.

The final match saw the Mixed Invitational side down Tokomaru 61-41. Toko were slow out of the blocks, trailing by 12 at the first break, but showed their usual fight to win the third quarter and finish the game strongly.

Regulars Jacob Collins, Nick Rayner and Luke Richardson, plus newcomer Manaia Takitimu-Laws were to the fore as the Invitation side flung the ball around and provided some spectacular action.

Although dwarfed on some occasions by their taller rivals, Toko players such as Hana Wilson and Dana Wilson, Ellen Barr and  Kayla Hebberd stuck at it and provided plenty of co-ordinated attack.

Scores:

Central Gill Construction 57 (Jess Prosser 35/48, Liv Pinkerton 1/1, Celine Barnes 21/29) Harlequins Totalspan 55 (Jorja Bacchus 42/51, Lauren Murray 13/16). Quarter scores – winning team first: 16-16, 14-8, 12-16, 15-15.

Pelorus Edridge Contracting 48 (Anel Moli 32/41, Courtney Taufa 16/19) MGC Liquid Action 42 (Jaye Wiapo 8/11, Sophia Nicholas 29/31, Anna Hurren 5/7). Quarter scores – winning team first: 14-12, 17-9, 11-10, 6-11.

Mixed Invitation 61 (Shiloh Walsh 15/26, Luke Richardson 37/38, Manaia Takitimu-Laws 9/12) Tokomaru Crafar Crouch 41 (Naomi Fowler 9/16, Dana Wilson 17/36, Hana Wilson 15/24). Quarter scores – winning team first: 22-10, 15-9, 8-12, 16-10.