Revenge is sweet for Quins RL

BY DAVID DAWKINS

Press ups, sit ups and sprints were all the motivation Harlequins Radich Law needed.

Just 10 days after their round two title hopes were dashed 40-55 by Harlequins Scaffold Marlborough, Quins RL bounced back to record a 46-40 win over the same opposition last night at Marlborough Lines Stadium.

"I didn't have to say much to them. It was more what I made them do than anything I said," Quins RL coach Michelle Stagg said.

"Push ups, sit ups and sprints. I think that's what motivates them."

Round two table toppers Pelorus Richard Bateman Motors continued their winning ways with a 59-31 victory over SMOG Furniture to Go, while SMOG Peter Ray Homes held off Harlequins East Coast Inn 62-41.

Harlequins Radich Law 46

Harlequins Scaffold Marlborough 40

A small change in midcourt made a big difference as RL rallied from a 9-13 first quarter deficit.

After a turnover-prone first quarter where RL were stymied by SM's zone defence, Stagg switched wing attack Natasha Ford to centre, moving Samara McConnell to the bench and inserting Laura Murphy at wing attack.

The change paid immediate dividends as the new combination drove through court strongly and ignited the RL attack.

At the other end SM started to struggle. Determined defence, led by RL circle defenders Rachael Agnew and Bonnie Pearce combined with wayward passing and just six of 14 shooting, saw SM drop the quarter 6-17 and trail 19-26 at the half.

RL maintained their advantage throughout the third term and pushed the lead up to a comfortable 11 goals by midway through the final quarter.

SM didn't go quietly as they ran off five straight goals to have the margin down to six with three minutes to play.

However, two straight turnovers ended the comeback attempt and also saw the experienced side a single goal short of a possibly vital bonus point.

Ford and Murphy proved a dynamic combination in midcourt, working hard to bring the ball through court and find their shooters.

After missing the sides' previous clash Jemma Columbus made a difference with her steady shot. The goal shoot converted 32 of 37 shots, 86.4 per cent, not missing more than two shots in any one quarter.

Agnew enjoyed another standout match at goal keep with solid support from Pearce.

Defenders Tracey Moanaroa and Sandy Large toiled hard for SM and in combination with wing defence Kate Taylor were able to secure a number of turnovers, which the attack was unable to convert.

SMOG Peter Ray Homes 62

Harlequins East Coast Inn 41

While the final margin was comfortable SMOG were given a tough test by a plucky Quins side.

In a free flowing first quarter SMOG quickly moved the ball down court and only a 16 for 26 shooting effort kept the margin to 16-7 after 15 minutes.

As the match progressed Quins lifted in attack and defence and while not able to take a quarter they remained competitive, staying within five during the final three terms.

Entering the final period with a 46-30 lead SMOG appeared finally set to run away with the encounter pushing out to a 58-34 break, before Quins once again rallied to finish strongly.

After a wayward start SMOG's shooters settled into their work with Kimberley Gibson leading the way, sinking 27 of 34 shots at 79 per cent while second half sub Sophie van Velthooven made 14 of 17, 82 per cent.

Anna Archie was a top performer at wing attack laying on clean ball to her shooters while centre Emma Moore worked hard, particularly in defence.

Goal keep Lauren McArtney was strong in defence, rebounding well and grabbing intercepts.

Amy McDougall and Maddie Morris continued to forge a tough unit in the defensive circle for Quins while Rebecca Eddie converted 18 goals at a tidy 72 per cent.

Pelorus Richard Bateman Motors 59

SMOG Furniture to Go 31

Captain Luke Richardson summed up his team's match in one sentence, "We were good in parts and bad in parts. Pretty scrappy really."

However, the all-male side did enough to easily hold off SMOG and remain unbeaten since the opening match of round two.

Pelorus were led by an outstanding defensive effort from goal keep Corey Tyson, well supported by goal defence Nick Rayner, as they held SMOG to less than 10 goals in each quarter.

Wayward passes combined with the length and athleticism off Pelorus proved a constant problem for SMOG and made shooting difficult.

In attack Pelorus looked best when slowing play down and keeping the ball crisp. Despite not being on top form shooters Richardson and Grant Herd rebounded well.

Goal defence Sophie MacKenzie was a standout in defence for SMOG picking off a number of passes and even enjoying a stint at centre late in the game.

Cara Gallop provided a cool head in attack converting 15 of 18 shots, 83 per cent while Jaime Campbell slotted in well at goal shoot after moving up from the Year 10 SMOG Bayleys team.

NETBALL WRAP

Results: Harlequins RL 46 (Jemma Columbus 32/37, Amy O'Meara 14/23) Harlequins SM 40 (Anna McLindon 28/39, Anne Reed 12/18). Quarter scores: (9-13, 26-19, 37-30). Pelorus RBM 59 (Grant Herd 39/58, Luke Richardson 20/34) SMOG FtG 31 (Cara Gallop 15/18, Jaime Campbell 9/14, Claudia Crawford 7/22). Quarter scores: (14-8, 29-14, 45-22). SMOG PRH 62 (Kimberley Gibson 27/34, Kirby Heath 21/31, Sophie van Velthooven 14/17).

- The Marlborough Express