Quins see off closest challenger

Who can stop Harlequins Indevin?

The table-topping Quins saw off their closest rival, Pelorus Edridge Contracting, at Stadium 2000 tonight, confirming their position as the team to beat in the 2023 premier netball competition with a 60-46 victory.

In the evening’s first match, although Harlequins Fairweathers showed they are on the right track with another improved performance, they are still seeking their first win of the season, losing to Pelorus Gill Construction 59-50.

The other game resulted in a second consecutive win for Tokomaru, who accounted for a lack-lustre Marlborough Girls’ College outfit 49-32.

The Quins Indevin v Pelorus Edridge encounter, a replay of last year’s final albeit with plenty of different personnel, began as a tight encounter but the defending champs tightened the screw as the game progressed.

Wendy Trolove and Wiri Bristowe were energetic and persistent in defence, while Kelsi Powell and Bridget Gane continued to feed good ball into the ever-reliable Fiaali’i Solomona under the hoop, who continues to shoulder the bulk of Quins scoring load.

At the other end, Pelorus shooter Paige Lovell was proving influential, especially in the first quarter after which Pelorus held a 15-13 lead, a close encounter in prospect.

Quins edged in front 29-24 at halftime, before upping the ante in the third quarter to race out to a 14-goal lead.

Even when Quins were reduced to six players in the final five minutes, Bristowe being was sent off for persistent defensive infringements, Pelorus were unable to make much headway, the final quarter being drawn 14-14.

Laura Evans, the consistent Jordy Peipi and defender Ella Smith stood out for a Pelorus side who have some work to do before they next come up against the competition favourites.

The night’s early match was also a clash of the Harlequins and Pelorus clubs, this time the tables being turned.

Pelorus Gill Construction had to battle to get the job done, but they did just that, eventually subduing a feisty Harlequins Fairweathers crew in the final quarter.

The scores were level, 41-41, at three-quarter time before Pelorus came out firing. They scored six of the first eight goals in the final stanza to create a small margin which they soon extended by putting up 23 shots to Quins’ 11.

The Pelorus shooting roles were shared by Kate Gaudin, 27 from 31, and Cara Gallop, 18 from 24, whose inclusion at GA in the final quarter turned the tide.

Michelle MacDonald, Bonnie Morris, Kelsie Fitzpatrick and Karli Murphy were others to catch the eye.

Quins’ young shooting combination of Jorja Bacchus and Sophie Ridley-Scott continues to thrive, sharing the shooting duties around and cleverly creating space for each other.

Zara Jopson and Emily Smith were others to stand out.

The evening’s final encounter also promised to be close, but Tokomaru made a powerful start from which the students never recovered.

Shooters Naomi Fowler and Gemma Hika made the most of the ball that came their way, Shannon McManaway and Tamara Acott feeding cleverly. Chloe Devir stood out at goal defence.

Although MGC fought back to win a scrappy second quarter 9-8, the introduction of Kayla and Hana Wilson in the second half lifted Toko’s game and set them on the path to a comfortable win.

Delyth James-Sitters, Anel Moli, Paige O’Brien and Poppy Lane were among College’s best.

Scores:

Pelorus Gill Construction 59 (Liv Pinkerton 14/21, Cara Gallop 18/24, Kate Gaudin 27/31) Harlequins Fairweathers 50 (Jorja Bacchus 31/35, Sophie Ridley-Scott 19/25). Quarter scores (winning team first): 17-16, 14-10, 10-15, 18-9.

Tokomaru Crafar Crouch 49 (Naomi Fowler 14/22, Gemma Hika 28/34, Kayla Wilson 7/10) Marlborough Girls’ College 32 (Anel Moli 17/27 Emily Flynn 2/4, Hazel Glover 13/24). Quarter scores: 15-8, 8-9, 12-8, 14-7.

Harlequins Indevin 60 (Fiaali’i Solomona 44/49, Kelsi Powell 3/5, Kayla Collins 6/12, Lauren Murray 6/9, Ramona Waikato 1/2) Pelorus Edridge Contracting 46 (Paige Lovell 32/50, Laura Evans 14/21) Quarter scores: 13-15, 16-9, 17-8, 14-14.

Points: Harlequins Indevin 12, Pelorus Edridge Contraction 9, Pelorus Gill Construction 9, Tokomaru 6, Harlequins Fairweathers 1, MGC 0.