Men's team triumphant return

Nelson Men’s and Mixed Netball Club have started their 2022 campaign with a resounding 77-36 victory over Richmond in the opening round of premier netball.

In the other fixtures of the evening, Prices Waimea Ahurei beat NCG Senior A 57, Jacks Netball Club OPD beat NCG senior A 85-22, and Prices Waimea Pango beat Jacks Netball Club TBC 57-18.

After a 10 year hiatus from the league, Nelson Men's and Mixed Netball Club captain Jared Lock says they were just happy to be back out there again.

“We didn’t come out with expectations to win or do well. It’s ten years since we’ve been in prems.”

As an original member of the squad from when it previously played in the league, he says the return was a “pretty special” moment for himself and the other four original players.

Jared was a leading force behind the team’s win, with accurate shooting from deep around the arc that Richmond F45 struggled to defend.

The men used their pace to their advantage, with centre Ricky Fry pushing the tempo with quick restarts and running of the court.

They quickly grew a lead right from the outset with a forced turnover on Richmond’s first possession that served as an indication of how the game would play out.

Richmond consistently found themselves one step behind their opponents who punished them with highly accurate passing and shooting despite their best efforts.

The men also utilised their height, with Matt Davies standing out on both ends of the court after switching to defence at halftime from goal shoot.

Matt was a commanding force inside the ring, with his large wingspan providing a challenge Richmond couldn’t seem to solve.

Jared says they were surprised at the lift in competition intensity after playing the team on Saturday in a preseason fixture.

“They really gave it to us. The score did not really reflect how it felt out there."