Top netball sides sort themselves out

Three teams have distanced themselves from the pack after just two weeks of competitive premier netball.

Three blow-out scores marked tonight’s action at Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000 - leaving Harlequins Indevin, Pelorus Edridge Contracting and Pelorus Gill Construction sitting together atop the points table with two victories apiece.

Harlequins downed Tokomaru 67-30, Pelorus Edridge beat Harlequins Fairweathers 69-38 while Pelorus Gill took care of Marlborough Girls’ College 55-37 in the evening’s closest encounter.

Pelorus took control of the night’s early game in the first quarter, establishing a five-goal advantage on the back of 11 goals from 11 attempts from goal attack Kate Gaudin, who ended the match having landed 35 of her 36 shots.

By halftime the students trailed by 15, despite some inspired defensive work from Poppy Lane, who was willing to throw herself around the court in pursuit of a turnover, and keeper Brooke Harper. Paige O’Brien was another to catch the eye, along with centre Liz Pousima.

However, the Pelorus goals kept coming, the consistent Liv Pinkerton combining smoothly with Gaudin.

The final quarter was drawn 11-11, as the college side’s fitness kicked in, but the final margin showed the students that they have some way to go if they are to tip over the top three sides.

The seasoned Pelorus quartet of Cara Gallop, Karli Murphy, Anna Thomas and Katie Bradley ruled in midcourt, while Amber Russell and Bonnie Morris were solid in defence.

Harlequins Indevin maintained their unbeaten run and high-scoring momentum, turning in four dominant quarters against Tokomaru.

Toko sent 11 players on to court during the 60 minutes in a bid to try different combinations and slow Quins’ progress, both with varying success.

Quins stuck with a combination that has been working well in recent games, Mackenzie Baird and Wendy Trolove in the defensive circle, Kelsee Powell, Bridget Gane and Sophie Robinson in mid court with Kayla Collins and the prolific Fiaai’i Solomona at the attacking end.

Again, they dominated possession through defensive pressure, putting up 78 shots to their rivals’ 49.

Quins welcomed back last year’s skipper Wiri Bristowe, who had a stint at keeper.

Toko also re-introduced a key player, Hana Wilson making a brief appearance in the centre’s bib. They also got good value out of Shannon McManaway and middie Tiaana Rolls but, like MGC, have a battle on their hands to become competitive with the big three.

The night’s other clash also ended with a lop-sided scoreline, although it began as an even contest.

Harlequins Fairweathers may be searching for their first win of the season but began well, holding Pelorus to 18-13 at the first break.

Unfortunately, they could not maintain that momentum, losing the second stanza 18-4 as their opponents, led by their ever-reliable shooter Paige Lovell, who put up 71 shots, upped the ante.

With Laura Evans and Brittney Lyons pulling the strings in midcourt, and goal attack Megan Cosgrove creating space around the circle edge, Pelorus scored readily, despite energetic defence from the versatile Emily Smith.

Harlequins’ shooter Jorja Bacchus continues to find her range at this level and will be a big asset as the season goes on, along with the lively Aston Underwood.

Scores:

Harlequins Indevin 67 (Fiaali’i Solomona 54/62, Kayla Collins 13/16) Tokomaru Crafar Crouch 30 (Naomi Fowler 17/24, Tamara Acott 3/7, Gemma Hika 10/18). Quarter scores (winning team first): 20-8, 15-7, 15-11, 17-4.

Pelorus Edridge Contracting 69 (Paige Lovell 60/71, Megan Cosgrove 9/12) Harlequins Fairweathers 38 (Jorja Bacchus 26/31, Sophie Ridley-Scott 8/13, Aston Underwood 4/8). Quarter scores: 18-13, 18-4, 15-12, 18-9.

Pelorus Gill Construction 55 (Liv Pinkerton 13/18, Cara Gallop 4/8, Kate Gaudin 35/36, Karli Murphy 3/6) Marlborough Girls’ College 37 (Emily Flynn 8/14, Anel Moli 9/20, Hazel Glover 20/28). Quarter scores: 14-9, 16-6, 14-11, 11-11.

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