Former Mid Cantabrian Kelsey Ashworth made a big impact on court for Mainland in their Beko Netball League win over Waikato/BOP in Ashburton on Sunday. Photo Tetsuro MitomoMainland and Waikato/Bay of Plenty (BOP) showed Ashburton netball fans just why they’re the top two teams so far in this season’s Beko Netball League on Sunday night.

The two sides played out an exciting and physical clash in front of a big crowd at the EA Networks Centre, which Mainland won 61-54, much to the delight of the home crowd.

The Beko Netball League is the tier below the ANZ Championship in which the Mainland Tactix play, and Waikato/BOP went in to the match sitting atop of the standings after three rounds, with Mainland second, and it was a former Ashburton woman who was a key figure in the downfall of the competition leaders.

Kelsey Ashworth wasn’t a part of the Mainland side when it was initially named for the 2018 season but was brought in due to a couple of injuries, and the little pocket rocket was dynamic and influential in the midcourt for the side coached by two fellow Ashburtonians, Ronelle van Dongen and Andrea Cousins.

Mainland held a slender 32-28 lead at halftime but Waikato/BOP started the third quarter strong and got back within one before drawing even at 36-all.

The two sides went goal for goal for a while before the visiting side got out by two to lead 45-43 at three quarter time.

A change in the shooting circle and some tight defence to start the final quarter helped Mainland draw back level at 46-all though and the tide was suddenly turning in the home side’s favour. They hit the lead again as a run of five unanswered goals in a row saw them out to a handy lead.

Ashworth continued her stellar game, despite a nasty fall and taking a ball to the head in the dying stages, and helped to ensure her shooters kept getting the ball they needed to maintain that lead.

Waikato/BOP made a late change to their shooting circle in an attempt to snatch a late victory, but Mainland kept the pressure on and finished with another scoring spree to take it 61-54.

The Mainland side will be back in Ashburton to play another of their Beko matches at the EA Networks Centre on July 15 at 1.10pm, against South.

 By Erin Tasker © The Ashburton Guardian - 5 June 2018