It was a battle for bragging rights at Saxton Stadium as Prices Waimea Ahurei faced off against Prices Waimea Pango in the local premier grade netball.
After being outclassed by first placed Jacks OPD last week and some team members out with sickness, Ahurei were also seeking a win to lift spirits.
It was a well-oiled defence halfway through the second quarter that enabled Ahurei to achieve just that with a 66-31 victory over Pango.
The first quarter ended with a close score of 17-11 to Ahurei with its on-target goal shooter, Tali Uia, nailing 12 goals from 14 attempts.
While Pango applied extra pressure in the second quarter with returning goal shooter, Lauren Chaney scoring six from six, Ahurei clapped on their defence and cruised to a 34-20 lead.
The Harriet Ogilvie and Tali Uia combo in the shooting circle proved too deadly for Pango with a 48-26 trail at the third quarter finish and 35 points separating both teams at the final hooter.
Ahurei coach Mandy Whiting says while it was nice to face-off against a fellow club team, Ahurei still had to lift themselves.
“Pango played a really nice game and they kept it short so we had to work hard on defence,” she says.
“I feel that we strengthened in our defence probably from halfway through the second quarter to the fourth quarter and then we were trying different combinations and they worked bringing Tali out to goal attack and Harriet into goal shoot.
“If we can keep improving with defence, our attack will come with it.”
Pango coach Sarah Rankin says her team will work to recraft a “clean and tidy” defence and executing under pressure.
She also welcomed Lauren Chaney’s return to the court.
“It was really cool to see her get a full game… she was strong to the ball, got some lovely rebounds and she went straight to the hoop as a shooter, you can’t ask for more than that.”
In other results from NBS premier netball, the Jacks OPD once again showed why they deserve to be top of the ladder with an 80-30 drubbing over Nelson Girls College senior A.
The FCL Nelson Men also had a dominant win beating F45 Richmond 75-31.
