And then there were four …

The 2024 Marlborough premier netball semifinalists have been decided after three exciting and tightly-contested tussles at Stadium 2000 tonight.

Going into this evening’s final round robin clashes all six sides were in a position to reach the last four and vie for a chance to participate in the grand final on August 31.

Assured of a semifinal position were defending champs Pelorus and Harlequins Totalspan. They played each other tonight in the battle for top seeding heading into the play-offs with Pelorus coming out on top in a thriller, 48-46.

They will take on the fourth-ranked Awatere Tussocks, who managed to get the better of Marlborough Girls’ College in another tense tussle, prevailing 48-45.

Awatere, who were promoted from grade one after the preliminary round of premier play, booked a spot in the club’s first premier play-off match next Tuesday.

The evening’s third match was also a close encounter, Tokomaru coming away in the final quarter to get the better of a gritty Harlequins Fairweathers outfit, 54-38.

Tokomaru will take on Harlequins Totalspan in the 2v3 play-off next week.

First on court tonight was the Awatere v MGC clash.

The students started strongly, leading by two at the halftime break, with Hazel Glover and Anel Moli working well under the hoop and taking advantage of some slick feeding from middies Bree Flynn and Paige O’Brien. Circle defenders Sophie Saggers and team standout Izzy Tupouto’a made sure any inaccuracy from the Tussocks was punished, leading to a spate of turnovers, at both ends.

The second half introduction of GS Anna Hewson seemed to steady the country side’s ship, allowing them to grab a three-point lead at three-quarter time, an advantage they maintained until the final whistle as their more experienced players led the way.

Central to their cause were midcourters Nicole Witterick, Ashley Childs, Aleisha Smith and Bryar Enerson, plus the doughty defensive duo of Sarah Hewson and Harriet Williams.

An inability to transition the ball through court after a string of defensive turnovers hampered the Tussocks and kept the students in the game, a facet of play the history-making Awatere outfit will no doubt address before the semis.

As was the case with the previous match, Tokomaru and Harlequins Fairweathers both realised that a loss tonight would end their season, prompting the Picton crew to produce a blistering finish.

In a see-sawing encounter, Toko led by one at quarter time, trailed by two at halftime, then got back in front by a single goal at three-quarter time.

The short break, and a couple of positional changes, worked wonders for Toko who put up 21 shots to Quins’ six in the final stanza, taking it out 19-4, thus producing a final margin which was not representative of such a tight clash.

The Toko shooting trio of Gemma Hika, Dakota Tepuia and Kayla Wilson scored at a healthy 79 percent, while Gi Burtenshaw, Chloe Devir, Ayla Looms, Shannon McManaway and the aerial Teish O’Connell all contributed to the decisive final quarter surge.

It was a tough way to end a solid season for the Fairweathers crew, being well in the contest for so long. Once again shooter Jorja Bacchus was outstanding, operating at 94 percent, and she was well supported by Ramona Waikato, Zara Jopson, Bianca Oliver, Aston Underwood, Kaya Walsh and Mahina Henry-Campbell.

Meanwhile, Pelorus appear to have taken the tag of title favourite from Harlequins Totalspan after registering their second consecutive win over the 2023 finalists.

In what some would suggest was a grand final preview, although Awatere and Toko may have something to say about that, they turned on another thriller.

The scores were tied at both half and three quarter-time, possession being shared and the result very much in the balance. However, the Dark Blues held their nerve down the stretch to maintain their recent winning streak, which includes games against Nelson’s top two sides.

At the heart of the Pelorus effort was defender Oriana Houra, middies Stormy Tupara and Kelsie Fitzpatrick, plus shooter Paige Lovell. Quins relied on defender Wendy Trolove, plus Bridget Gane, Jack Frew and Sophie Robinson.

The rivalry between these sides has been bubbling for quite some time now and, if they safely negotiate their respective semifinals, another thrilling instalment may be played out on grand final day.

Scores from August 13:

Pelorus Edridge Contracting 48 (Paige Lovell 37/42, Cara Gallop 11/19) Harlequins Totalspan 46 (Jack Frew 30/36, Wiri Bristowe 7/11, Lauren Murray 8/22). Quarter scores (winning team first): 14-11, 11-14, 10-10, 13-11.

Awatere 48 (Bobby Childs 35/47, Ashley Childs 2/2, Anna Hewson 11/13) Marlborough Girls’ College Liquid Action 45 (Hazel Glover 18/20, Sophia Nicholas 7/14, Anel Moli 20/27). Quarter scores: 11-14, 10-9, 14-9, 13-13.

Tokomaru Crafar Crouch 54 (Dakota Tepuia 15/18, Gemma Hika 28/39, Kayla Wilson 11/11) Harlequins Fairweathers 38 (Jorja Bacchus 30/32, Ramona Waikato 8/13). Quarter scores: 12-11, 10-13, 13-10, 19-4.

Points: Pelorus 15, Harlequins Totalspan 13, Tokomaru 7, Awatere 6, MGC 5, Harlequins Fairweathers 4.