Netball semifinalists confirmed

The four semi-finalists have been confirmed with one week remaining in the third and final round of Marlborough premier netball.

Pelorus, Tokomaru Crafar Crouch, Marlborough Girls’ College and Harlequins will feature in the play-offs, with Awatere dropping out of contention.

What is not yet clear is who will play who in the semis. Harlequins, who play the mixed Tokomaru side next week with no competition points at stake, are locked into fourth place and will meet the top qualifier. Pelorus (9pts) and MGC (6) meet next week, while Toko (7) take on Awatere, all three teams capable of booking the top spot. The second and third qualifiers will do battle in the second semi-final.

Tonight, playing-through champions Tokomaru Crafar Crouch laid down a marker, beating the ever-improving MGC side 49-39 with a dominant second half display at Stadium 2000.

The early stages were tightly-contested, both the first and second quarters being squared to leave the match tied up 20-20 at halftime.

Then Toko began to take charge. With the Wilson sisters operating smoothly and instinctively in midcourt, alongside the energetic Chloe Devir, Gemma Hika landing 40 from 44 goal attempts, plus Wiri Bristowe and Michaela Boaz snapping up any loose ball in defence, they demonstrated why they will be hard to topple come play-off time.

MGC were in this one for a very long time, captain Mya Wiapo showing her athleticism at the back, alongside Holly Feltham and Lesieli Taufa.

On attack, Fiaalii Solomona (29 from 35) and Zoe Scaife worked patiently to create shooting opportunities, with Mele Moli and Eleri James-Sitters eager and inventive feeders.

Toko will have taken heart from this effort as they close in on the play-offs and, while MGC will be disappointed with their final quarter, they showed enough to provide optimism for battles to come.

In the other late match, Harlequins eased their way to a 60-30 win over Awatere.

Quins flew out of the blocks early, dominating first half possession to the tune of 42 goal attempts to Awatere’s 19. They led 32-11 at the break before the Tussocks staged a mini-recovery, taking out the third quarter 11-6. However, Quins recovered quickly putting, the game to bed with a 22-8 final stanza.

They were also buoyed by the return of shooter Kelsee Hamilton from injury, adding attacking variation alongside Liv Hodson and Simone Pederson.

Their match against the tall and speedy Tokomaru mixed side next week will be good preparation leading into the semis.

Awatere, with Nicole Witterick and Ashleigh Childs leading the way, put in their usual whole-hearted effort, but were again plagued by lack of consistency.

Pelorus still lead the points table, despite going down 53-38 to Toko Picton Motordrome tonight, with no points at stake.

This match featured another tight first half tussle, Pelorus holding a 22-20 edge at the main break. However, they were unable to stay with the combined side, for whom Ricci Higgins (27 from 35) and Luke Richardson were reliable under the hoop. Tash Ford was influential in midcourt while Jo Ettema worked tirelessly in defence.

Pelorus, chasing their first premier title this season, got a tough work-out, using 10 players and several combinations. Jalen King again showed out at goal keep, alongside Riana Burger and Portia Barcello.

Paige Lovell was reliable and accurate from distance at the other end, while Millie Wensley provided plenty of options from midcourt.

Scores:

Tokomaru Picton Motordrome 53 (Ricci Higgins 27/35, Luke Richardson 26/43) Pelorus Edridge Contracting 38 (Paige Lovell 17/25, Karli Murphy 15/20, Meg Hocquard 6/12). Quarter scores (winning team first): 9-11, 11-11, 16-7, 17-9.

Harlequins New World 60 (Hayley Marfell 4/7, Simone Pedersen 24/31, Kelsee Hamilton 12/22, Liv Hodson 20/27) Awatere Clarence River Rafting 30 (Ashley Childs 18/32, Emma Pilcher 10/18, Tori McCulloch 2/6). Quarter scores (winning team first): 14-4, 18-7, 6-11, 22-8.

Tokomaru Crafar Crouch Picton 49 (Gemma Hika 40/44, Kayla Wilson 9/13) Marlborough Girls’ College NZ King Salmon 39 (Fiaalii Solomona 29/35, Zoe Scaife 10/14). Quarter scores (winning team first): 9-9, 11-11, 14-12, 15-7.

Third round standings after four rounds:Pelorus 9, Tokomaru 7, MGC 6, Harlequins 4, Awatere 0.

Next week: MGC v Pelorus; Tokomaru Crafar Crouch v Awatere; Tokomaru Picton Motordrome v Harlequins.