The Nelson Netball NBS premier competition has wrapped up its opening round, with teams now turning their attention to the crucial points-scoring phase of the season.
Thursday night’s final round of matches saw coaches tinkering with combinations, searching for any last insights before round two gets underway.
Waimea Prices Ahurei 53
Richmond F45 49
Richmond F45 pushed last season’s champions all the way, but accurate two-point shooting ultimately delivered Waimea Prices Ahurei their fifth win of the opening round.
Stung by last week’s defeat to Nelson College for Girls, Richmond opened the match with intent and rotated their shooters effectively, all of whom found the bottom of the net. That pressure forced Waimea Prices Ahurei to grind their way back into the contest before pulling clear in the closing stages.
Nelson College for Girls 71
Stoke NBS 52
Nelson College for Girls’ speed through the court and clinical shooting proved too much for Stoke NBS in the early match on court one.
Goal shoot Greer Robertson was again a dominant presence under the hoop, providing her mid-courters with a reliable target for both short and long passes.
At the other end of the court, NCG goal defence Abi Day turned in her strongest performance of the season so far, scrapping for fifty–fifty ball and making life difficult for the Stoke shooting circle.
Jacks OPD 52
Waimea Prices Mā 32
Jacks OPD were too strong for Waimea Prices Mā in the 7.45pm match, using their trademark speed through the attacking third to put the team in black under sustained pressure.
To their credit, Waimea Prices Mā did not shirk their duties and, despite the sizeable margin, there were periods of play that defied the final scoreline.
With round two of the competition determining promotion and relegation, Prices Mā have shown they are worthy competitors and certainly not a side to be taken lightly.
