Women's A Grade blown wide open - Week 7
The top two teams in Women's A-Grade suffered losses on Tuesday night, opening the competition right up with three rounds remaining.
The Kelvin Hotel came from ten points down at halftime to close out winners over James Hargest by 62-52. Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit led the way for the Rogues finishing with 24 points with Bonnie Watt's 14 and Abby Humm's 10 also playing vital hands down the stretch. The short-handed James Hargest, whose five players were forced to play all 40 minutes were paced by Laura Jackson's game-high 26 and Sophie Hika's 15.
In the other Women's clash, Eastern Dev proved too strong for an under-strength Sparks combination. Erin Howes was a menace all night for Eastern, finishing with 25 while Rebecca heads and Saffron Hare also ended in double digits. Morgan Hunter had 16 in a losing Sparks' effort.
On the men's side of the draw Rip City made short work of Southland Boys High School, cantering to a comfortable 93-71 victory. Rhys Smolenski was deadly from long-range dropping nine treys on his way to 34 points while Tom Cowie got his whenever he wanted, adding 24. Cody Stevens was the best of the students with 24 of his own on the night.
Kelvin Hotel Xmen rounded into form with a 100-60 victory over MPMW Harleys Whero. Tyler Hawke was again the fulcrum on attack for Xmen, dropping another 30-piece to finiush with 32 to go with Isaac Riwhi's 20, Matt Randall's 16 and Jamie Campbell's 15. Matthew Andrews paced the Whero effor to finish with an impressive 27.
Invercargill Magic were never threatened as they made it seven wins on the bounce with a 97-43 victory over MPMW Harleys Pango. Magic got contributions across their squad with Andrew Wheeler driving the tempo to finish with 27, ably assisted by Josia Laracy and Joseph Riwhi's 15 each. Ricardo Henry and Gemar Atenta both got into double figures for Pango.
Meanwhile the Northeast Ballers rode a 29-11 second quarter to knock off The Turbos 93-85 in the best game of the round. Mitchell Robinson (29) and Ethan Mitchell (27) were at the heart of the Ballers' effort while Morgan Waihirere's 31, Tevita Latu's 18 and Ernie Bartlett's 17 kept The Turbos in touch.
POINT TABLES (After Week 7 - includes non-competition games)
MEN'S STANDINGS (Points +/-)
Magic 7-0 (+285)
Rip City 6-2 (+137)
Xmen 5-2 (+99)
The Turbos 3-2 (+102)
SBHS 3-2 (+36)
Northeast Ballers 3-4 (4)
Pango 1-6 (-258)
Whero 0-7 (-295)
WOMEN'S STANDINGS (Points +/-)
James Hargest 4-2 (+8)
Rogues 4-2 (-6)
Eastern Dev 3-1 (-6)
Sparks 3-2 (+46)
Razzmatazz 0-5 (-42)
