Harlequins and Pelorus will meet in the 2026 premier netball final after the two title favourites won their way into Saturday’s decider with similarly-commanding victories at Stadium 2000 tonight.
In the evening’s opening semifinal, top qualifier Harlequins met Marlborough Girls’ College and came away with a comprehensive 54-43 victory, winning all four quarters.
MGC made a strong start, trailing by just a couple of goals after the first 15 minutes. Sophia Nicholas, Anna Hurren, Bree Flynn and Sophie Moore added energy and drive through the court, while Jah’Bree MacDonald worked hard at goal keep, ensuring their rivals had no easy options.
However, as the game progressed, Quins, with the influential Wiri Bristowe to the fore in the shooting circle, began to assert their dominance. Bridget Gane, Lauren Murray, Natalie Spence and Paige O’Brien claimed control of midcourt, while Wendy Trolove and Delyth James-Sitters combined to pressure the college shooters.
Quins’ six-goal halftime lead was increased to a 10-goal advantage by three quarter time and although the final stanza was much closer, there was no way back for MGC, who now turn their attention to the South Island Schools tournament in Nelson next week, running Monday to Thursday.
While Quins were not at their very best, they were consistently accurate and energetic. They will be well prepared and motivated for Saturday’s title decider, especially with such vastly experienced operators as Bristowe, Gane and Trolove in their ranks.
The evening’s second clash was between second-qualifiers Pelorus and Central, the new kid on the block, with Pelorus prevailing 56-48.
Many predicted a close tussle and the initial action suggested just that.
Central went goal-for goal with the defending champs in a low-scoring first quarter, after which Pelorus led 10-7.
By halftime the defending champs had doubled their advantage although, trailing by just six goals, Central were certainly not out of the contest.
However, any thoughts they may have had of upsetting the premier applecart were dispelled in the next 15 minutes, the Dark Blues stretching away to a 41-27 lead which allowed them the luxury of making multiple changes in the latter stages.
To their credit Central continued fighting and, on the back of some superb shooting from Brooke Leaver, they took out the final quarter 21-15 to reduce the final margin and end their inaugural premier season on a high note.
Celine Barnes, Liv Hodson, Kelsie Fitzpatrick, Caylah Kenny, Brittney Lyons and Sophie Robinson worked hard all evening but had to bow to a side whose all-court game is hard to match and good to watch when in full flow.
The Pelorus defensive unit of Izzy Tupouto’a, Mya Gibbons, Liv Matthews and Oriana Houra worked particularly hard and have gelled as a group, while Anel Moli cemented her position as one of the most improved players of the year, alongside the always reliable Courtney Taufa.
Midcourt dynamos Bex Mark and Stormy Tupara have also rapidly formed a potent partnership.
These strengths, allied with plenty of depth off the bench, suggest it will take a mighty effort from the Quins to prevent the Dark Blues claiming four premier titles in a row on Saturday afternoon.
Semifinal results:
Harlequins Totalspan 54 (Lauren Murray 14/29, Wiri Bristowe 40/57) MGC Liquid Action 43 (Sophia Nicholas 18/22, Jaye Wiapo 6/7, Amelia Hood 19/34). Quarter scores – winning team first: 15-13, 13-9, 14-10, 12-11.
Pelorus Edridge Contracting 56 (Anel Moli 41/51, Mele Moli 2/2, Courtney Taufa 13/19) Central Gill Construction 48 (Brooke Leaver 35/41, Celine Barnes 10/13, Liv Pinkerton 3/4). Quarter scores – winning team first: 10-7, 12-9, 19-11, 15-21.
Final: Harlequins v Pelorus (Stadium 2000 – Saturday, August 29)
