Nelson netballers on top

Nelson’s netball representatives left Stadium 2000 on Sunday afternoon with boasting rights – and the coveted Tasman Trophy.

The annual competition pits the top two sides from round two of the respective Marlborough and Nelson club competitions against each other in two cross-over 48-minute matches. The results of those games, plus the previous clash between the sides from the same province, count for overall points and decide the trophy winner.

This year it was Waimea Prices Uhurei who came out on top.

After previously beating their Nelson rival, Jacks OPD, they added wins over Pelorus Edridge Contracting and Harlequins Totalspan on Sunday to ensure the trophy remained in Nelson for another year, Jacks being the previous holders.

Despite the overall result, Jacks were the most impressive team on the day, scoring big wins over both Harlequins and Pelorus.

Against Harlequins in their opener, Jacks came out firing. Seasoned midcourters Jess Drummond and former Tactix player Charlotte Drummond directed play superbly while prolific shooter Harriet Ogilvie dropped in 35 of her 42 goal attempts.

Shooter Jorja Bacchus landed 29 from 36 for a Quins side which was out-gunned from the outset.

The second match saw Prices up against Pelorus, the three-time Marlborough champs, and despite a promising first half from the home side, with Courtney Taufa leading the way in the attacking circle and Stormy Tupara prominent in midcourt, the visitors began to pull away.

Ahead by three at halftime, they won the second half 24-11 to ensure there would be no late comeback from Pelorus. Experienced Prices shooter Shar Lowe was reliable under the hop, while Micayla Whiti was staunch and athletic in defence.

After a break the second round resumed, with hopes high of a double Marlborough resurgence.

Jacks soon put paid to that possibility, maintaining a high level of intensity and skill to see off Pelorus by 19 goals. A 13-5 opening quarter set the tone and although the home side, with defender Oriana Houra to the fore, made their rivals work for every goal, the result soon became predictable.

Hannah Dawson stood out for Jacks in attack, while defender Antonia Thompson worked extra hard at the other end.

The day’s final match was the closest, with Harlequins, clearly stung by their opening effort, pushing Prices all the way.

At one stage Quins led by 10 goals but, slowly and surely Prices cut into the deficit, going ahead in the final quarter and hanging on to win by five despite a couple of late two-pointers from the home side.

Wiri Bristowe, Bridget Gane, Delyth James-Sitters and Zara Jopson were instrumental in Quins’ improvement, while GK Georgia Davies and centre Brooklyn Leary were at the heart of a gritty Prices fightback.

Sunday’s Tasman Trophy results:

Jacks OPD 58 Harlequins Totalspan 31

Waimea Prices Ahurei 40 Pelorus Edridge Contracting 24

Jacks 42 Pelorus 23

Prices 47 Harlequins 42