Final goal makes difference

Tokomaru came out on top in a premier netball thriller at Stadium 2000 tonight.

The Picton-based crew held their nerve down the straight to pip Central 51-50, dropping in the winning goal with just four seconds remaining on the scoreboard clock.

Toko led for most of the match, establishing a handy 29-21 advantage at the halftime break. However, Central lifted their defensive game in the second half, slowly but surely bridging the gap until, with 12 seconds remaining, they levelled at 50-50, Celine Barnes landing her nineteenth goal from 21 attempts.

It was Toko’s centre pass though and they made no mistake, working the ball to reliable goal attack Kayla Wilson who dropped her 24^th goal through the hoop, leaving Central no time to reply.

Kayla and her sisters, Hana and Dana, formed a potent midcourt combination, while shooter Naomi Fowler was a tower of strength under the post.

Dakota Tepuia and Sarai Puna were tight in defence, hunting for any inaccuracies, along with Kayla Bishell and Eden Hika, the result courtesy of an all-court effort which keeps Toko’s semifinal hopes alive with two rounds to play.

Central, although disappointed to come so close, will be buoyed by their improved showing after going down 60-39 the last time these sides met.

At the attacking end Brooke Leaver and Barnes made the most of the ball that came their way, although at times the delivery into the circle was made under extreme pressure, a tribute to the Toko defence.

Kelsie Fitzpatrick, Sophie Robinson and Brittney Lyons maintained a solid flow through midcourt while Liv Hodson and Caylah Kenny ensured Toko had to work equally hard to access their shooters.

The evening’s early match also counted for competition points, Harlequins making it three-from-three this round with a workmanlike 61-44 win over Marlborough Girls’ College.

In the continued absence of Jorja Bacchus, Wiri Bristowe handled the role of Quins’ key shooter with aplomb, landing 53 of 68 shots. The defensive pairing of Delyth James-Sitters and Wendy Trolove continues to impress, as does the work of Natalie Spence and Paige O’Brien in midcourt.

The students may have lost all four quarters, but fought hard throughout the contest, shooter Amelia Hood, WD Sophie Moore, defender Georgie Fissenden  plus middies Bree Flynn and Anna Hurren to the fore.

The evening’s final match pitted Pelorus against the Mixed Invitation side who prevailed 50-37 over the reigning champs.

As always this was an entertaining clash, with plenty of enterprise, energy and good humour on show.

The predominantly men’s side remain unbeaten this season, most of the players preparing for an intriguing clash with their Nelson counterparts during finals day at the Stadium on 29 August.

Scores:

Harlequins Totalspan 61 (Lauren Murray 8/13, Wiri Bristowe 53/68) MGC Liquid Action 44 (Amelia Hood 24/41, Izzy Vickery 2/3, Sophia Nicholas 2/5, Jaye Wiapo 16/22). Quarter scores – winning team first: 14-13, 16-11, 15-11, 16-9.

Mixed Invitation 50 (Shiloh Walsh 8/17, Luke Richardson 28/32, Jacob Collins 14/21) Pelorus Edridge Contracting 37 (Anel Moli 21/31, Mele Moli 8/17, Izzy Tupouto’a 8/13). Quarter scores – winning team first: 12-8, 16-10, 15-8, 7-11.

Tokomaru Crafar Crouch 51 (Kayla Wilson 24/33, Naomi Fowler 27/40) Central Gill Construction 50 (Celine Barnes 19/21, Brooke Leaver 31/44). Quarter scores – winning team first: 12-10, 17-11, 10-15, 12-14.

Points after two weeks of the third round: Harlequins 9, Pelorus 6, Tokomaru 3, Central 2, MGC 0.