Pelorus do it again

It took the Pelorus netball club 38 years to claim their first premier title - but only 12 months to bag their second.

On Saturday afternoon, Pelorus Edridge Contracting made it back-to-back premier titles when they took out the 2024 crown with a well-deserved 51-44 victory over Harlequins Totalspan under the Stadium 2000 roof.

Favourites going into the decider, Pelorus were never behind by more than a goal or two, leaving Harlequins to play catch-up for most of the match, which provided an exciting spectacle for the boisterous, vocal crowd.

To their credit, Quins stayed in the battle for most of the game, trailing by just two at three-quarter time. However, they were outclassed in the final 15 minutes when outstanding Pelorus shooter Paige Lovell put up 19 shots, of which she sunk 14, including a couple from distance, to ensure the title was retained. By contrast, in the final quarter, Harlequins were allowed only 13 shots in total, sinking just nine.

Quins started with the versatile and aerial Wiri Bristowe at keeper, alongside the astute Wendy Trolove, the pair hoping to slow Lovell’s output. Lauren Murray teamed with Jack Frew in the attacking circle, while Bridget Gane, Simone Pedersen and Sophie Robinson formed an experienced midcourt. Of note was the fact Gane was playing her 40^th consecutive season of top-level netball, an achievement recognised before the opening whistle.

Pelorus fielded a predictable line-up, Cara Gallop teaming with Lovell, Ella Smith and Oriana Houra combining in defence, with Brittney Lyons, Kelsie Fitzpatrick and youngster Stormy Tupara in the middle of the action.

The first quarter was messy, finals pressure affecting both camps, resulting in plenty of turnovers as the old rivals felt each other out.

It ended 12-10 to Pelorus, but the pendulum swung the other way in the second stanza. Although Pelorus went out to a five-goal lead in the early stages, Quins, with Bristowe and Trolove to the fore, fought back and by halftime had levelled the scores at 23-23.

Quins made several changes at the mid break, Bristowe moving to shooter, Frew to GA, replacing Murray. Poppy Lane replaced Bristowe at GD, Trolove assuming the keeper’s bib, while Zoe Scaife entered the fray, replacing Pedersen at WA.

The third quarter was also tight, with possession even, but Lovell’s 13 goals from the same number of shots allowed the Dark Blues to get their nose back in front 37-35.

A feature was the intense midcourt battle, full court defence meaning every pass was contested, making transitions after turnover ball difficult for both sides.

Late in the third quarter Pelorus made a notable change, Mya Gibbons coming in at goal defence for Smith.

They then made their final change at the start of the final stanza, Jordy Peipi replacing Lyons at WD, as they pushed hard to establish a winning margin.

Eventually, Harlequins’ resistance broke, a run of seven goals to two allowing Pelorus some breathing space, an advantage which a team with experienced performers throughout the court was not about to let slip.

Pelorus captain Cara Gallop, relishing her first stint in the club’s top side, said the team had really come together in the latter stages of the season.

“We have had quite a few injuries throughout the season so cohesion was lacking, especially at the start, but once we hit the Tasman Trophy games [which Pelorus won], and we had all 12 players to call on … then it started to click.

“There were quite a few of us that hadn’t played together before so, just getting used to each other’s play, where to put the ball into space … it definitely gelled in some games more than others but we have definitely been building each game to this stage, which was nice.”

She said the side were quietly confident going into the final, despite two members of the side being struck by illness during the build-up.

“We knew it would be a hard-fought battle, it is every time we play them … and you can’t have a lull because they are one of those teams that can score quickly. But, so can we and we just had to realise that when we got up on the scoreboard it was a possession game and I think we did that well in that last quarter.”

Cara said team communication played a big part in their success.

“We can generally hear each other … sometimes that is all that is needed, especially in pressure situations. When you have clear comms it is really easy to execute your game plan. If everyone goes into their shells and it’s quiet it gets hard. We are a good communicator team, which is probably what gets us through in those tight moments,” she added.

Premier final scores: Pelorus Edridge 51 (Paige Lovell 44/54, Cara Gallop 7/14) Harlequins Totalspan 44 (Jack Frew 32/43, Lauren Murray 4/7, Wiri Bristowe 8/12). Quarter scores (winning team first): 12-10, 11-13, 14-12, 14-9.

Other results:

Grade 1: Pelorus Revival 32 MGC Vet Marlborough 31

Grade 2: MGC Thomas’s Jetz v Tokomaru KBK Building

Grade 3: Harlequins Sothebys 28 MGC Ayson Survey 25

Grade 4: Harlequins McRaes 25 Awatere 19

Grade 5: QCC Senior B 22 Legion Tyche 16

Grade 6: QCC Manawa 24 Harlequins Tasman Crop 12

Grade 7: Harlequins Renwick Meat Market 20 Harlequins BPC 18

Social: Harlequins Grove Tavern v Pelorus Fairweathers