Netball season starts with a bang

Prices Waimea Ahurei, Richmond F45 and FCL Nelson Men have kicked off their premier-grade netball seasons with a series of decisive wins.

For the FCL Nelson Men, it was tough going early as Jacks OPD put them to the test in the first half before they stretched out an unobtainable lead.

Jacks OPD would empty the bench in the final quarter, using 11 players, but would ultimately lose 62-42 as the size advantage started to pay dividends.

In other results from the first round of the NBS premier grade, Prices Waimea Ahurei beat Nelson Girls College senior A 63-29 and Richmond F45 came out on top of Prices Waimea Pango 38-32.

After trailing by just one point at the end of the first quarter and for a long stretch into the second, Jacks would see the FCL Nelson Men put their foot down on the gas peddle to take a 30-23 advantage into halftime.

Matt Davies was critical to his team’s offensive success, securing numerous rebounds as he towered over the defence.

His 66 shot attempts were more than double that of anyone else in the game, with Jacks OPD sharing the duties between GA Chloe Webb (26) and goal shoots Ani Marie-Waitai (31) and Katie de Ruiter (5).

Jacks OPD were defiant throughout, not afraid to put their bodies on the line and get physical with the men in search of a turnover.

Jordan Webby in GD and then GK for the fourth embodied that nature, being one the last lines of defence.

On offence, Jacks looked in control and were able to find inroads into the Men’s defensive third.

Their ball movement through the midcourt was strong and fluid and they showed depth in the bench down the stretch.

With the FCL Nelson Men unbeaten in the premier league since their return last year, they were the clear favourites coming into the game.

While they would have expected a tough game to start the season, facing such defiance must have been a surprise.

Despite star shooter Jared Lock being relegated to the sidelines with a cast on his leg, they would have been happy with their first showing of the year.

With some new young players in their squad, they look to have integrated well into the squad but were outshone by the team’s veterans.

Ricky Fry did a fantastic job leading his team from centre, playing the first three quarters there until he moved to WA for the final quarter.

There’s no break for the FCL Nelson Men to start their season, as they come up against Prices Waimea Ahurei next week.

Ahurei were clinical in their game against Nelson Girls College, putting on a masterclass and making a statement in the 63-29 win.

Despite having a wildly new squad from last season’s championship-winning team, they looked to have already gelled well in their combinations.

Their defence was their strongest asset, slowing down the Girls College attack as they were a step behind their opponents.

While they were able to progress the ball up the court, it was much less fluid and stop-start as they searched for an open player.