Prices Black unable to avoid drop

Prices Black best clear their weekends.

Needing a big win over Richmond to have any chance of leapfrogging Waimea College into safety, the young Prices Black side’s already slim hopes of remaining in the premier netball competition were dashed when they were beaten 51-37 at Saxton Stadium on Thursday night.

In a new format, the premier competition will continue with just six teams in the second round, with points starting from scratch. Prices Black will drop down to the senior one, which is played on Saturdays, but they could yet return for round three.

Despite suffering a sixth straight defeat, Prices Black should hold their heads high after their most competitive performance of the season, holding Richmond to 19-19 at halftime.

However, they found themselves trailing by 10 at the end of the third quarter, the game eventually getting away from them.

First round honours went to Prices A after they edged Stoke 54-53 to maintain their unblemished record.

After trialling by about seven throughout long periods the game, Stoke brought the deficit back to just one on two separate occasions during the fourth quarter, and they even had a chance to steal a late draw.

However, a stray pass from Amber Granger went straight into the hands of Prices goal defence Dayna Whiting when there was only 30 seconds left on the clock, allowing Prices to keep hold of possession until the final whistle.

Interestingly, two New Zealand age grade volleyball team-mates, Holly Chandler and Natasha Bannister returned from international duty to feature on opposing sides. They were both positive additions to their squads, the pair making numerous interceptions.

Meanwhile, Jacks cruised to a comfortable 81-43 win over Waimea College - the second highest score of the season - as they ended the first round in second place.

In control of the game right throughout the hour, Jacks had built a 20-goal lead by halftime and went close to doubling that advantage at fulltime.

Hannah Mead was their top scorer with 38 although Leanne Cook was much more accurate, missing just three of her 34 attempts.

But despite suffering another heavy defeat, Waimea will be safe in the knowledge that they have at least survived the first cut.