Netball Champs Otago Win Grand Final

Lion Foundation Netball Champs

Otago Win Grand Final

Grand Final Match Report
All playoff results
Tournament Selection
Special Awards
Shooting Statistics

All Results / team lists and Information online at www.MyNetball.co.nz

Final Placings

Division One
1. Otago
2. Trust Waikato
3. Chop Chop Auckland Waitakere
4. Canterbury
5. Wellington (played off in Promo/relegation and defeated North)
6. Bay of Plenty (played off in Promo/relegation and defeated Western)

Division Two
1. Western (played off in Promo/relegation and were defeated by Bay of Plenty)
2. North played off in Promo/relegation and were defeated by Wellington)
3. PIC Insurance Brokers Counties Manukau
4. Ascot Park Hotel Southland
5. Eastern
6. Tasman

Playoff results
Grand Final
Otago (59) defeat Trust Waikato (57)
Player of the match: Te Paea Selby-Rickit (Otago)

3rd/4th Playoff
Chop Chop Auckland Waitakere (53) defeated Canterbury (51)

Promotion Relegation 1 (Div 1 6th v Div 2 1st)
Bay of Plenty (41) defeated Western (40)

Promotion Relegation 2 (Div 1 5th v Div 2 2nd)
Wellington (63) defeated North (39)

Division 2 3rd/4th
PIC Insurance Brokers Counties Manukau (48) defeated Ascot Park Hotel Southland (37)

Division 2 5th/6th
Plus Rehab Eastern (58) defeated Air NZ Tasman (51)

Tournament Selection
Rachel Fabling – Waikato
Elias Shadrock – Waikato
Jessie Waitapu – Waikato
Shannon Francois – Otago
Te Paea Selby-Rickit – Otago
Grace Rasmussen - Auckland Waitakere
Keshia Grant - Canterbury

Special Awards
Violet Gilmour Trophy (lowest goals scored against): Western
Jady June Blundell (Highest Goals Scored): Trust Waikato
Gisborne Cup (Highest Standard of Uniform): PIC Insurance Counties Manukau

GRAND FINAL MATCH REPORT
Player of the Match: Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Umpires: Danielle Maulder, Marise Stuart with reserve Tania Law

For the first time since 1998, Otago have won the Lion Foundation Netball Champs, defeating Trust Waikato 59-57.

It was two fit, determined and controlled teams that took to the court today at Tect Arena in Tauranga as a low error rate and high shooting statistics told a story of composure and skill.

The last time these two teams met was in Round One when they drew 56 all, so it was hard to pick on paper who was going to get up today.

Both opting to start with tall timbers donning the Goal Shoot bib, Otago and Waikato seemed to be working from the same game plan, with zippy and cunning Goal Attacks helping bring the ball to the circle edge before popping up well placed lobs into steady shooting hands.

Otago opted to start Olivia Bates at Goal Attack for the first half before bringing on Kate Shearer to change their attacking dynamic in the second. Both players were pivotal in Otagos win as they stole the attention of dogged Waikato defenders Rachael Fabling (GD) and Amy Christophers (GK), leaving Te Paea Selby-Rickit in the circle to shoot a whopping 42/44 goals at 95%.

A team that has built a culture of pride and hard-work, Waikato have progressed ten-fold since their promotion to Division One last year. Co-captains Elias Shadrock (C) and Jess Tuki (WA) combined beautifully with Waikato / Bay of Plenty Team mate Jess Tuki working the ball through court with patience and in the first half Waikato looked to have the slight edge.

Then the game heated up. Otago Captain Shannon Francois headed the charge for her team in the opening minutes of the 2nd half with some gritty man on man defence putting an end to Shadrock’s free space. Super-sub and NZU21 squad member Zoe Walker took to the court at Goal Keep and immediately put doubt in the minds of the Waikato feeders, snatching in some high balls previously being strongly pulled in by Waikato Goal Shoot Elsa Brown.

Waikato were not down and out however, and a couple of vital intercepts by Fabling and the growing sound of rattling cowbells saw Goal Attack Jess Waitapu use her pace to score a flurry of goals, bringing her team to within one in the last minute.

The ever composed attacking line of Otago however decided to take their time on their next centre pass and when the ball reached the hands of Player of the Match Selby-Rickit a swish shot was inevitable, making the final score 59-57

© Scoop Media