First round decided in premier netball

Harlequins Indevin may have been missing a couple of key players, but they made no mistake on their way to clinching first round honours in the premier netball competition at Stadium 2000 tonight.

Quins, without key midfielder Bridget Gane and ace shooter Fiaali’i Solomona this week, dominated almost throughout their clash with Pelorus Gill Construction before coming out on top 58-51.

Their rivals made up some ground over the final two quarters, after trailing by 11 at halftime, but the damage was done in the early stages with shooter Wiri Bristowe and GA Lauren Murray converting the wealth of possession that came their way. Kelsi Powell showed her versatility with stints at both WA and centre while Sophie Robinson did the same in the C and WD bibs. Defenders Wendy Trolove and Mackenzie Baird ensured any goal Pelorus scored was hard-earned.

Pelorus will rue a slow start, but underlined their pedigree by coming home strongly, defender Portia Steele, middie Katie Bradley, attacker Kate Gaudin and shooter Liv Pinkerton to the fore.

The evening’s closest game was between two sides yet to notch a win in the preceding four rounds.

Eventually, Marlborough Girls’ College got the job done against Harlequins Fairweathers, prevailing 51-47 in a match which could have gone either way.

The students can thank a stellar performance from their shooters, Anel Moli, 31 goals from 36 attempts, and Hazel Glover, 20 from 22, which included several long-range efforts, for their narrow edge.

Both sides enjoyed a similar share of possession, with turnovers frequent as both defences worked hard.

Leading the way for MGC was Brooke Harper and Izzy Tupouto’a while Emily Smith and Kirsty Boase were relentless in pursuit of possession for Quins.

Quins got plenty of reward from posting high balls into key shooter Jorja Bacchus, whose 40 goals from 46 shots was also a top effort, but were once again unable to raise their game in the vital late stages after working hard to stay in touch.

First up at the stadium was the match-up between Tokomaru and Pelorus Edridge, the latter winning all four quarters to claim a decisive 68-45 victory.

Toko, buoyed by the addition of former MGC standout Mya Wiapo at goal defence, tested Pelorus throughout but were unable to create any scoring runs of significance.

Key shooter Paige Lovell was in compelling form for Pelorus, putting up 71 of the 92 shots her team had at goal, Toko restricted to just 62 attempts.

Jordy Peipi at WD was another Pelorus player to shine, along with livewire centre Brittney Lyons, GA Megan Cosgrove, the multi-talented Laura Evans and keeper Danelle Moffat.

Toko benefitted from the allround skills of GA Gemma Hika, reliable shooter Naomi Fowler, hard-working keeper Mahina Henry-Campbell and the tenacious Shannon McManaway.

There is no premier netball for the next two weeks, the second and final series of round-robin matches beginning on July 18.

Scores:

Marlborough Girls’ College 51 (Anel Moli 31/36, Hazel Glover 20/22) Harlequins Fairweathers 47 (Jorja Bacchus 40/46, Sophie Ridley-Scott 4/6, Jack Frew 3/4). Quarter scores (winning team first): 14-10, 12-14, 11-14, 14-9.

Harlequins Indevin 58 (Wiri Bristowe 37/48, Lauren Murray 19/31, Kayla Collins 2/5) Pelorus Gill Construction 51 (Liv Pinkerton 15/17, Cara Gallop 9/13, Kate Gaudin 27/31). Quarter scores: 16-11, 19-13, 11-13, 12-14.

Pelorus Edridge Contracting 68 (Paige Lovell 54/71, Laura Evans 2/4, Megan Cosgrove 12/17) Tokomaru Crafar Crouch 45 (Naomi Fowler 15/23, Gemma Hika 28/35, Kayla Wilson 2/4. Quarter scores: 14-8, 18-13, 17-13, 19-11.

Points after first competition round: Harlequins Indevin 15, Pelorus Edridge Contracting 12, Pelorus Gill Construction 9, Tokomaru 6, MGC 3, Harlequins Fairweathers 2.