Tokomaru underline championship quality

Tokomaru Crafar Crouch joined Pelorus at the top of the table, while Marlborough Girls’ College notched their first win as Marlborough premier netball moved outdoors today.

Three matches were played at Lansdowne Park with resurfacing being completed at Stadium 2000.

In the early game, defending champs Toko proved too strong down the finishing straight, defeating Harlequins 56-39 in a free-flowing encounter.

At halftime the match was anybody’s, Tokomaru holding a tenuous 25-24 advantage. However, some positional changes by Toko and a drop in intensity from Quins saw the Picton side dominate the third quarter, won 19-7, to create a 13-goal buffer and put the result out of reach.

Newcomer Ellen Barr, who mixed her time between wing attack and centre, impressed for the victors, along with the versatile Wiri Bristowe and key defender Michaela Boaz.

Harlequins were well served by defender Katie Cunningham, goal attack Kelsee Hamilton and wing attack Sophie Robinson.

A feature of this match was the appearance with the whistle of one of the country’s top officials, international umpire Josh Bowring. He officiated alongside Marlborough’s top umpire, Michelle Stagg, making for a well-mannered encounter.

The second encounter was also close for most of the contest, Marlborough Girls’ College getting up to beat an improved Awatere side 56-44.

The Tussocks led 27-25 at halftime and trailed by just two at the third break. However, the students lifted their game in the final quarter to take it out 18-8, picking up their first win of the season.

In the final match, between Pelorus and the Tokomaru Picton Motordome mixed side, Pelorus led after the first 15 minutes but struggled to stay in touch from then on as the Toko crew steadily pulled away, on the back of some consistent shooting from Emilio Dell-Yaxley.

There were no competition points at stake in this match, but will have provided a solid workout for a Pelorus side intent on staying on top of the table.

Next week’s round is also at Lansdowne Park.

Scores:

Tokomaru Crafar Crouch Picton 56 (Gemma Hika 34/45, Wiri Bristowe 19/21, Dana Wilson 3/9) Harlequins New World 39 (Liv Hodson 20/26, Kelsee Hamilton 19/24). Quarter scores (winning team first): 10-12, 15-12, 19-7, 12-8.

Marlborough Girls’ College NZ King Salmon 56 (Fiaalii Solomona 34/52, Zoe Scaife 22/27) Awatere Clarence River Rafting 44 (Ashley Childs 13/23, Kimberley McCabe 31/44). Quarter scores: 14-14, 11-13, 13-9, 18-8.

Tokomaru Picton Motordrome 61 (Ricci Higgins 15/24, Luke Richardson 16/21, Emilio Dell-Yaxley 30/40) Pelorus Edridge Contracting 41 (Paige Lovell 26/42, Karli Murphy 15/18). Quarter scores: 9-12, 16-7, 16-12, 20-10.

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