Tue, May 11, 2021 10:49 PM

Netball sides establish credentials

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Peter Jones

Those seeking an indication of which team is likely to dominate the Marlborough premier netball competition this season would have been hard-pressed to get a solid steer from tonight’s three matches.

Tokomaru Crafar Crouch and Pelorus, last year’s finalists, both registered victories, Marlborough Girls’ College were far from outclassed despite losing to Pelorus, while Harlequins, although losing narrowly to the Tokomaru Picton Motordome mixed side, showed they will also be a force to reckon with.

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Ricci Higgins lines up a shot for the Tokomaru mixed side. 

After losing to their clubmates last week, defending champs Tokomaru Crafar Crouch bounced back to outclass Awatere, 71-24. They produced their usual all-court game, Wiri Bristowe and Gemma Hika combining smoothly at the offensive end, the Wilson sisters threading accurate and inventive passes through midcourt while Michaela Boaz and Oakley Tepuia ruled defensively.

The Tussocks struggled to maintain possession, putting up 59 shots compared to their opponents’ 88 goal attempts. Although Awatere’s shooting percentage was low, they are battling to establish combinations, a situation time together should remedy. Their best were defender Harriet Ryan and Ashley Childs.

The evening’s early game pitted Pelorus against MGC and, while it was a messy low-scoring affair at times, this one could have gone either way. In the end Pelorus prevailed 40-32, gaining a narrow edge in three of the four quarters, the other being drawn. The experience of seasoned campaigners such as Laura and Karli Murphy, Jordan Peipi, Courtney Taufa, Kelsie Fitzpatrick and Paige Lovell saw Pelorus through, although they were never able to break well clear of their younger rivals. The admirable depth on the Pelorus bench could well be a critical factor as the season progresses.

Goal defence Mya Wiapo was again a standout for the students, along with fellow defender Holly Feltham and shooter Zoe Scaife. MGC demonstrated that, when they are allowed to play the game at their pace, they can score quickly and readily, a concern for all their rivals, especially when combined with such a formidable defence.

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Tokomaru's Dana Wilson takes control in midcourt. 

There were no competition points at stake in the final match, but try telling that to Harlequins and Tokomaru Picton Motordome, who prevailed 47-45 with just the bare seven players to call on.

This match was hard-fought throughout, giving Quins a competitive workout, which the introduction of the mixed team was designed to provide.

Luke Richardson was a standout for the Toko side, knocking down 18 goals from 22 attempts to keep the scoreboard ticking over, while the lofty Emilio Dell-Yaxley put in a solid shift at both ends of the court. Tash Ford, always a midcourt dynamo, was another to catch the eye.

Quins got good value at the defensive end from Katie Cunningham, Olivia Robinson and, latterly, the energetic Cerys James-Sitters. Liv Hodson did the bulk of the shooting, with Bridget Gane and Simone Pederson providing impetus from midcourt.

The next round of premier play will take place at the Lansdowne Park courts, on May 22, while the Stadium floor is resurfaced.

Scores:

Pelorus Edridge Contracting 40 (Paige Lovell 28/55, Karli Murphy 12/22) Marlborough Girls’ College NZ King Salmon 32 (Fiaalii Solomona 16/26, Zoe Scaife 13/19, Mele Moli 3/7) Quarter scores (winning team first): 12-10, 12-8, 9-9, 7-5.

Tokomaru Crafar Crouch Picton 71 (Gemma Hika 37/47, Wiri Bristowe 33/40, Oakley Tepuia 1/1) Awatere Clarence River Rafting 24 (Ashley Childs 18/37, Emma Pilcher 5/13, Tori McCulloch 1/9). Quarter scores: 16-7, 20-6, 18-4, 17-7.

Tokomaru Picton Motordrome 47 (Ricci Higgins 12/22, Luke Richardson 18/22, Emilio Dell-Yaxley 17/31) Harlequins New World 45 (Liv Hodson 32/48, Kelsee Hamilton 13/26). Quarter scores: 12-12, 15-12, 9-11, 11-10

Standings after round two: Pelorus 6, Harlequins 3, Tokomaru Crafar Crouch 3, MGC 0, Awatere 0.

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