Netball action. Photo supplied.A last-gasp penalty shot ensured College walked away from its premier netball clash against United with competition points on Thursday.

Down by one with time effectively up on the clock, College goal attack Hayley Tallentire settled the ledger at 26-all with a second penalty shot, after fellow shooter Sophie Adams hit the ring on first attempt.

College had claimed a narrow lead by the midway point of a frenetic, highly physical battle.

However United fought their way back in the final two periods of the game and eventually took the lead in a see-sawing final spell.

Hampstead later firmed its position as ACL contenders with a classy 41-24 win over Methven.

Earlier, Mt Somers defaulted to Celtic to put their season on the back foot.

Both coming off opening week defeats, the desperation was evident from the outset between United and College.

The two sides pressed hard on defence during the opening stages, with goals hard to come by in the first period.

A hefty collision in mid-court between Milli Sullivan and Charlotte Samson indicated players were putting their bodies on the line.

All square at 5-5 at the first break, both sides began shouldering long overheaded balls into the attacking areas in the hope of catching defensive markers off guard, which garnered mixed results.

Several turnovers were effected with College skipper Poppy Kilworth in particular proving to be a nuisance at the back for United.

College in the end dominated the second period, claiming a 15-8 advantage at halftime.

United turned the tables in the third quarter, defending stoutly and executing more often than not inside the circle, with Stacey Smith Grant sinking some long range goals after moving from wing attack to goal attack.

Now with all the momentum, United got it back to within one goal in the third spell, as Adams hauled herself about in the circle to wrangle back the ascendancy.

All set up for a nail-biting climax, United nudged ahead courtesy of some pivotal points from super-sub shooter Brans Surridge, who went toe-to-toe with Kilworth in the circle.

College kept their composure to remain in striking distance during the final stages with one of their key players pulling off the clutch play in the dying seconds.

After sharing the points, both teams now sit fourth and fifth on the ACL standings with College holding a slightly better points differential.

It was a closely fought beginning between Hampstead and Methven as both sides looked to utilise their height in the shooting circle via Hampstead’s Alice Eddington and Methven’s Kelera Nawai.

After holding a slender two-goal advantage at the first break, Hampstead powered ahead as their mid-court began to dominate matters with Eddington and Nicole Hands turning a modest advantage into a healthy one.

Down 26-15 at halftime, Nawai was sent to goal keep, possibly to counter the flow of scoring.

However Hampstead went up a notch as their dynamic mid-court combinations fed on any loose ball. Methven competed strongly during the third spell, with Leanne Clemens enjoying further opportunities to land points for her side.

However Hampstead stormed home as goal keep Hannah Spence smothered her opposite in goal as the blue and golds in return were able to move the ball into the attacking third cleanly to finish the game off.

In premier 2, Celtic B dispatched Hampstead B 44-21 earlier in the night.

Competition favourites Southern A hammered AshColl’s senior B side 46-9 before Methven B prevailed over Celtic C 34-26.

There were also wins for United B and Hampstead under-18A, with College’s 10A side having the bye.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 10 July 2020