Tokomaru notch first win

Tokomaru provided the major talking point during tonight’s round of premier netball at Stadium 2000, recording their first win of the season, and in some style.

The Picton club has struggled for success over the previous eight weeks, showing glimpses of form at various times but not able to put a full hour of quality netball together – until tonight.

In the first round Toko were beaten 42-36 by the new team on the block, but they emphatically turned the tables tonight, prevailing 60-39.

A major factor in this one was the possession imbalance, Toko putting up 84 shots compared with Central’s 49. Energetic defence right through the court forced a wealth of turnovers, which the Toko shooters, especially Kayla Wilson who landed 31 of her 34 goal attempts, willingly converted.

Wilson was well supported by Naomi Fowler and Dana Wilson, with Hana Wilson and initially Kara Beattie also prominent in midcourt. Their defence was also potent, Dakota Tepuia, Sarai Puna, Ellen Barr and Eden Hika hunting relentlessly for tips and interceptions.

Central rotated 10 players on and off court but could not slow the Tokomaru momentum. Keeper Portia Steel, GA Celine Barnes and shooter Bobby Childs were at the fore of their efforts on a night where they struggled for cohesion and rhythm.

The evening’s early match saw Harlequins maintain their winning form with a 60-43 victory over Marlborough Girls’ College.

The scoreline was not indicative of the flow of the match, the students drawing the first and third quarters where they were able to keep pace with Quins and more than hold their own at both ends of the court.

However, a 17-6 second quarter ensured MGC were playing catch-up from then on and, with Quins’ shooting machine Jorja Bacchus landing 52 of the 58 goal attempts, it was a long way back.

Delyth James-Sitters, Paige O’Brien and Bridget Gane caught the eye, but the stand-out performance came from Quins’ keeper Wendy Trolove, who snapped up any rebounds, errant passes or loose balls with aplomb.

Amelia Hood, Georgie Fissenden, Isla Watene, Bree Flynn and Jah’Bree MacDonald worked hard for a college side who play Waimea College in Nelson tomorrow.

The evening’s third match was a light-hearted and sometimes spectacular affair, the Invitation side downing Pelorus 51-39.

As usual the Invitation crew featured a few visiting players, former Harlequins stand-outs Jack Frew and Poppy Lane featuring tonight.

After holding the Invitation side to a four-goal advantage at halftime, the game slipped away from Pelorus in the last half hour as the game lost its shape. Stormy Tupara and Izzy Tupuoto’a stood out for Pelorus, Luke Richardson, Nick Rayner and Ben McManus doing the business for the Invitation combination.

There is no premier netball next Tuesday, it resumes on 30 June.

Scores:

Harlequins Totalspan 60 (Jorja Bacchus 52/58, Lauren Murray 8/14) MGC Liquid Action 43 (Sophia Nicholas 13/14, Amelia Hood 12/15, Jaye Wiapo 18/27). Quarter scores – winning team first: 14-14, 17-6, 13-13, 16-10.

Mixed Invitation 51 (Shiloh Walsh 12/23, Luke Richardson 24/34, Poppy Lane 1/2, Jack Frew 9/12, Sam Pearson 5/11) Pelorus Edridge Contracting 39 (Courtney Taufa 7/12, Anel Moli 26/40, Mele Moli 6/7).  Quarter scores – winning team first: 15-11, 11-11, 14-9, 11-8.

Tokomaru Crafar Crouch 60 (Dana Wilson 6/10, Kayla Wilson 31/34, Naomi Fowler 23/40) Central Gill Construction 39 (Celine Barnes 7/10, Bobby Childs 20/24, Liv Pinkerton 12/15). Quarter scores – winning team first: 12-11, 16-8, 13-11, 19-9.

Second round points table:  Harlequins 9, Pelorus 7, Tokomaru 4, MGC 4, Central 3.