Netball clash ends in draw

Pelorus continued their premier netball unbeaten run at Stadium 2000 tonight, but the game of the evening was between two other contenders for the top position.

Harlequins and Marlborough Girls’ College fought out a 40-40 draw in a match that went right down to the wire.

Trailing by a couple of goals heading into the final few minutes Quins forced a turnover and clawed their way back to level pegging. The students then had the final chance to grab the go-ahead goal as the seconds ticked away but were unable to convert, leaving both sides rueing a match that was there for the taking.

It was close throughout, just a single goal separating the teams at halftime and the scores all tied up after 45 minutes.

As the low score indicates, this was a scrappy affair, with plenty of turnovers by both sides – some forced, some through inaccuracies.

Both defensive units were to the fore, Holly Feltham, Mya Wiapo and Lesieli Taufa working hard for MGC, while Cerys James-Sitters, Katie Cunningham and Olivia Robinson were prominent for Quins.

In the night’s early encounter, Pelorus were too good for Awatere, prevailing 57-32.

The competition leaders dominated from the outset, leading by 17 at halftime. To their credit Awatere came back in the third quarter, coach Koko Lambert entering the fray at wing attack while Pelorus made a raft of changes.

Defenders Jalen King and Portia Barcello, shooter Paige Lovell and wing attack Katie Bradley stood out for the victors.

Nicole Witterick, usually a midcourter, slotted into the GD role for the Tussocks and brought her usual whole-hearted approach. GA Ashley Childs was another to shine, along with cousins Harriet and Courtney Ryan.

The evening’s third match, although not played for competition points, was, like the Quins v MGC clash, a close affair.

The two Tokomaru sides produced an entertaining encounter, Tokomaru Picton Motordrome clinching a 54-51 victory in the final few minutes.

Tokomaru Crafar Crouch, the defending champs, turned a six-goal deficit at halftime into a two-goal margin after the third break. They tied the game up halfway through the final quarter but were forced to bow to their clubmates who finished slightly stronger.

Gemma Hika shot well for Crafar Crouch while Ricci Higgins also scored freely for Picton Motordrome. Others to impress were Luke Richardson and Kayla Wilson.

On Friday, MGC and Pelorus are back in action, playing a match that was originally scheduled for the school holiday but has been brought forward at the teams’ request. It starts at 6pm at the Stadium.

Scores:

Pelorus Edridge Contracting 57 (Paige Lovell 26/29, Karli Murphy 14/20, Meg Hocquard 17/26) Awatere Clarence River Rafting 32 (Kimberly McCabe 19/35, Emma Pilcher 5/9, Ashley Childs 8/13). Quarter scores (winning team first): 15-7, 16-7, 11-10, 15-8.

Harlequins New World 40 (Kelsee Hamilton 28/34, Liv Hodson 12/18) Marlborough Girls’ College NZ King Salmon 40 (Fiaalii Solomona 29/41, Zoe Scaife 11/12). Quarter scores (MGC first): 13-10, 6-8, 9-10, 12-12.

Tokomaru Picton Motordrome 54 (Ricci Higgins 28/38, Luke Richardson 26/39) Tokomaru Crafar Crouch Picton 51 (Gemma Hika 44/51, Dana Wilson 7/16) Quarter scores: 13-14, 13-6, 13-17, 15-14.

Standings after game three of round two: Pelorus 9, MGC 4, Harlequins 4, Tokomaru Crafar Crouch 0, Awatere 0.