Premier netball grade clashes between the Titikaveka Pearls and Avatiu Dragonflies as well as Takuvaine and Arorangi provided netball fans with their fix on Friday night.

Due to bereavements on the island at the weekend, Saturday netball games were postponed and will be played out through this week.

However, fans who made it to the TSA on Friday night were treated to two action-packed netball games.

On court one – a fierce battle unfolded between defending champions the Titikaveka Pearls and old rivals the Avatiu Dragonflies.

As both sides are dominated by national netballers, it was always going to be local netball at its best.

The Dragonflies took to the courts pumped – attacking every ball and making every shot count to lead the first quarter 15-12.

However, Titikaveka aren’t the defending champions for nothing, as the squad of exciting young and experienced old heads took Avatiu to task.

Avatiu kept their cool to lead by just one point 23-22 into the half time break.

The third quarter was a body on the line affair from both sides as shooters worked hard to receive the ball and defenders under the goal pounced on every ball keeping a tight defence on shooters.

Avatiu defenders Nana Manuela and returning Avatiu netter Kura Moeka’a were a force to be reckoned with and visibly rattled Titikaveka shooters Saramata Takai and Selina Napa.

Under the Dragonflies goal – Curly George and Mati Toru were also under loads of pressure from Pearls defenders Luciana Matenga and Micheyla Matapo.

Through centre court both sides had great combinations driving the ball to the goals.

Both sides shared intercepts and turnover ball to tie the score up at 36-all after the third quarter.

In the thrilling final quarter – supporters from both sides were on the edge of their seats as the ladies from both sides put every last ounce of energy into the game.

The two top teams exchanged leads but as the minutes ticked away Titikaveka showed exactly why they are champions, keeping cool heads while Avatiu’s desperation lead to errors and turnover balls that Titikaveka snapped up and made count to win the tight battle 49-46.

A disappointed Avatiu side will take away much from the game while Titikaveka know that they will have to fight to keep a hold on the champion’s trophy – one that the club has held over 10 years.

On court two – Takuvaine and Arorangi battled and while the game was close in the first quarter with Arorangi leading by one point 12-11, the rest of the game was all Arorangi.

The ladies from the west lifted their game at every quarter to comfortably win the game 63-43.

Postponed games, the last of the netball round, will be played out this week before club netball takes a short break for town and country games.

The town and country games also allow for netballers to carry out their national duties at the Pacific Netball Games in Fiji next week before returning home for the business end of the domestic season.