The Nelson Netball NBS premier competition entered its promotion and relegation phase on Thursday night, with crucial points on the line across three matches.
With the bottom-placed team at risk of dropping back to Saturday netball at the end of the round, every result carried added weight.
Jacks OPD 73
Nelson College for Girls 54
The match of the round saw perennial contenders Jacks OPD prove too strong for Nelson College for Girls on court one, easing away to a comfortable win.
The opening quarter featured high-quality netball from both sides, with NCG capitalising on several midcourt intercepts and delivering clean ball to the ever-reliable Greer Robertson.
Jacks responded in kind, turning over possession through strong defensive pressure of their own. With Harriett Ogilvie accurate under the post, Jacks gradually wore down their collegiate opponents and dominated the fourth quarter to put an exclamation mark on the victory.
Waimea Prices Ahurei 86
Stoke NBS 16
Waimea Prices Ahurei were at their rampant best, stamping themselves as one of the favourites in the promotion round.
Stoke NBS struggled to contain the speed and through-court flow of the Richmond-based side, with Lucy Ingham, in particular, in sharp form for Prices.
When Stoke did manage to get possession, it was used well, but with several key players missing, the task was always going to be a tough one. The Leary twins were again dominant for Prices, continuing their seamless transition from Nayland College to the Waimea Prices club.
Richmond F45 53
Waimea Prices Mā 39
Richmond F45 claimed the four points on offer in the 7.45pm match but were made to work hard by Waimea Prices Mā.
Injuries played a significant role in the Prices lineup, and Richmond looked the more cohesive unit throughout, despite holding just a four-goal lead at halftime.
Richmond took control with a decisive third quarter, and although Waimea Prices Mā lifted noticeably in the final 15 minutes, the result was never in doubt.
