The Colombo Rd courts hosted Netball Wairarapa's first weekend of senior netball preliminary games for the new season on Saturday.
This round, plus the next six rounds, will determine gradings for the season.
Of the teams vying for Premier One status, Harcourts made an early season statement when easily overcomingCarterton New World Legends 75-19. The Harcourts lineup suggested there is some changing of the guard under way but the core of the side, including Katie Alsop, Astee Karaitiana and Danielle Gray, are all back on court and sure to pose problems for opposing teams.
St Matthew's A, under the guidance of Pania Haruru, got off to a good start, overcoming a one player penalty to emerge 61-44 winners of the intercollege game against Makoura, while the other college side seeking Premier One status, Wairarapa College, went down 29-38 to the Moko Namana-coached Pioneer Blue.
Celtic showed they are back in the mix with a 37-28 victory over Carterton New World Vipers, and a revamped Baywide Gladstone side ran out 43-30 winners over Carterton Red.
In other Premier One/Premier Reserves results, Wairarapa College B defeat St Matthew's B 25-15, Trev's outscore Greytown Red 58-34, and Eketahuna down Hot Shots 36-30.
