Harcourts stamped their mark on the Wairarapa premier one netball competition with an authoritative 58-31 win over Pioneer Blue at the Colombo Rd courts in Masterton on Saturday.
The defending champions were expected to meet stern opposition from the previously unbeaten Pioneer Blue squad but after an even first quarter which ended with Harcourts in front by just a couple of goals they upped the ante and were never in danger of defeat.
It was the precision and speed of their passing, especially through the midcourt, which impressed most about the Harcourts performance.
With Lyn Mika, Katie Wyeth and Carlene Karaitiana leading the way they consistently opened up the Pioneer Blue defence and provided a smooth passage of ball to shooters Astee Karaitiana and Geraldine Carroll, who invariably made the most of their scoring opportunities.
At the defensive end of the court too there was an impressive efficiency about the Harcourts play, with Paige Drummond and Sarah Watson constantly placing huge pressure on the Pioneer Blue shooters.
Pioneer Blue, for their part, certainly lacked nothing on the score of endeavour but they lacked the sharpness of their opponents, especially in attacking play where several passes were either spoiled or intercepted. It wasn't all bad news though, with shooters Hope Phillips and Marty Te Whare having their moments despite the lack of space and time given them, and Jaimie Reiri and Gina Hill also showing some nice touches.
Other premier one matches went as predicted, with Makoura A defeating Carterton New World Lynx 41-29, St Matthew's Collegiate beating Baywide Gladstone 36-27 and Wairarapa College accounting for Hellz Hot Shots 40-24.
Lower grade results:
Premier reserve: Wairarapa College Intermediate A 27, St Matthew's B 25; Trevs 1 43, Wairarapa College B 41; Carterton New World Legends 35, Carterton New World Red 30.
Premier two: Hiona 32, St Matthew's Junior A 19; Martinborough 20, Makoura B 8; Greytown Yellow 22, Solway Silver 12.
Premier three: Chanel Junior A 35, Nga Iwi 16; Chanel A 23, Pioneer Red 17; Carterton New World Misfits 35, Wairarapa College B2 6.
Premier four: Solway Green 18, Carterton New World Social 15; Trevs 3 36, Wairarapa College Junior A 9; Makoura TKT 10 26, Wairarapa College Red 23; Makoura TKT 9 27, Greytown Black 22.
Senior A: Kuranui Blue 35, Wairarapa College Junior B 4; St Matthew's Junior B 25, Chanel B 8; Greytown Gold 34, St Matthew's Gold 8; Masterton Flames 45, Wairarapa College Intermediate B 11.
Senior reserve: St Matthew's Junior Red 21, Wairarapa College Gold 5; DPS Old Girls 34, St Matthew's Junior Blue 0; Solway White 20, Wairarapa College Blue 9; Kuranui Whitye 10, Chanel Junior B 10.
Intermediate and primary school results :
Grade one: Carterton Whero 16, MIS B 8; MIS A 16, Lakeview A 14; St Matthew's A 18, Chanel Red 12.
Grade two: Wainuioru Wildcats A 21, MIS Magic 8; Opaki Aces 23, Nga Kakano 16; Lakeview B 19, Featherston 1 5.
Grade 2A: St Matthew's B 22, Solway Development 17; MIS Steel 18, Carterton Ma 13; Greytown A 20, Carterton Kahurangi 5.
Grade three: Chanel Blue 11, Lakeview C 8; DPS Pulse 24, MIS Mystics 5; Hadlow A 14, Alfredton Hot Shots 7.
Grade four: Carterton Kowhai 12, MIS Tactics 6; MIS Pulse 13, Greytown B 0.
Grade 4A: Gladstone Gladiators 7, MIS Vixens 6; St Matthew's C 13, St Pats Diamonds 12; Lakeview Flames 18, Wainuioru Wildcats B 4.
Grade five: Solway Diamonds 5, St Pat's Hearts 4; DPS Tactics 5, Lakeview Magic 1; MPS Sting 13. Greytown C 11.
Grade six: Carterton Kakariki 2, Opaki Aces 1; Hadlow B 2, Gladstone Gladiators 0; Lakeview Sting 11, Greytown D 0.
Grade seven: Rangiatea 10, DPS Mystics 4; Solway Sapphires 26, DPS Steel 2; Fernridge Future Ferns 10, Gladstone Gems 1.
Future ferns: Lakeview Kiwis 7, St Pat's Spades 2; St Pats Clubs 7, DPS Magic 0; Carterton Karaka 22, Greytown 2 0; MPS Ferns 2, Kahutara Ferns 1; Greytown 1 16, Opaki Flyers 0.