Students pass netball exam

After a week’s break, Marlborough’s premier netballers sprang back into action under the Stadium 2000 roof tonight with an upset result.

This week’s play marked the final matches in the second round of three to be played before semifinals on 18 August.

After three entertaining clashes Harlequins have emerged as second round winners, putting an exclamation mark on their supremacy with an emphatic 73-44 win over Central.

Tokomaru, who also beat Central last week for their first win of the campaign, played the Invitation side and came away with a hefty 63-40 defeat.

However, the best match of the evening was the first on court, Marlborough Girls’ College defeating last year’s champions Pelorus 42-39.

The students came out firing, establishing a 26-19 lead at halftime and, although Pelorus whittled away that advantage, even drawing level at 35-35 midway through the final quarter, MGC held their nerve during the hectic final minutes to get the job done.

It was a real team effort from the students, who have threatened upsets in earlier games but fallen short. This time they hung tough, their defence, anchored by Jah’Bree MacDonald, Georgie Fisssenden, Sophie Moore and Violet Speakman, stepping up to deny the Dark Blues multiple scoring opportunities.

Bree Flynn, Anna Hurren and Isla Watene were creative and tenacious in midcourt while Sophia Nicholas, Amelia Hood and Jaye Wiapo maintained a high percentage at the attacking end, the latter pair landing a couple of pressure goals in the final minutes as Pelorus made a late charge.

The champs were missing a couple of key players through injury, namely defenders Oriana Houra and Izzy Tupouto’a, but welcomed back former MGC standout Maya Gibbons.

Regular GA Courtney Taufa showed her versatility with an impressive stint in defence, while Liv Matthews and Mele Moli were others to turn in a strong effort.

Harlequins have grown in stature as the season has progressed and they showed no mercy to Central, opening with a 22-10 first quarter and maintaining a high standard until the finish.

They led the goal attempt stakes 88-63 and with ace shooter Jorja Bacchus in form, benefiting from the work of experienced GA Lauren Murray, whose partnership with Bridget Gane and the ever-improving Paige O’Brien provides such quality ball, there was no stopping them.

For Central, Celine Barnes worked hard to keep her side close, Portia Steel made some fine stops in defence while Kelsie Fitzpatrick continued to operate at a high level.

Toko were up against it, taking on an Invitation outfit boasting experience, height and mobility, whose free-flowing style is easy on the eye but hard to cope with.

Ellen Barr, Hana Wilson and Dakota Tepuia stood out for the Picton club, along with Sarai Puna, but they were often left chasing shadows as opponents such as Nick Rayner, Aston Underwood, Jack Frew, Luke Richardson and Ben McManus fired the ball through court with pace and, mostly, precision.

Scores:

MGC Liquid Action 42 (Sophia Nicholas 12/15, Amelia Hood 21/31, Jaye Wiapo 9/16) Pelorus Edridge Contracting 39 (Courtney Taufa 2/3, Anel Moli 34/40, Mele Moli 3/5). Quarter scores – winning team first: 14-11, 12-8, 9-11, 7-9.

Harlequins Totalspan 73 (Jorja Bacchus 58/67, Lauren Murray 15/21) Central Gill Construction 44 (Celine Barnes 12/13, Bobby Childs 15/22, Jess Rutherford 5/9, Liv Pinkerton 12/19). Quarter scores – winning team first: 22-10, 16-14, 16-10, 19-10.

Mixed Invitation 63 (Shiloh Walsh 12/20, Luke Richardson 41/54, Jacob Collins 10/12 Tokomaru Crafar Crouch 40 (Dana Wilson 14/22, Kayla Wilson 13/21, Naomi Fowler 13/18). Quarter scores – winning team first: 16-11, 15-13, 17-7, 15-9.

Second round points table:  Harlequins 12, Pelorus 8, MGC 7, Tokomaru 4, Central 3.