Double Extra Time End to Tournament   22 Apr 2014

It was a true test of nerves in the final of the National Mixed Netball Tournament at Auckland’s AMI Netball Centre this Easter Sunday with double extra time required to find the winner.

Title holders North Harbour Maroon came up against a confident Canterbury Black team and while both sides gave their all, North Harbour were to eventually come out on top 68-66.

The final whistle of regular time saw the teams tied on 51-51 and a further 14 minutes of extra time still couldn’t separate them with the score 64-64. The first team to gain a two goal advantage would win the title with Canterbury finally being pipped at the post.

Michelle Vaeau, coach of North Harbour Maroon, couldn’t have been happier with her charges and praised them for a true team effort.

“Our team philosophy for the whole tournament was to grind hard ‘til the final whistle and to have faith in each other. And we did,” she said.

That faith was required earlier in the game when Canterbury fought back from being 10 goals down to draw level. But Vaeau was not afraid to make changes and despite telling her players to get back to basics she was also proud their “North Island flair was showing.”

In the Under 23 section, finalists North Harbour Black and North Harbour White had already met twice in pool play with North Harbour Black winning the first match up by 6 and the second by 3.

The Kevin Bell coached Black team maintained their dominance over their regional rivals in the final, taking the grade title 47-35. A strong performance by Taylor Glassie saw him named Player of the Match.

New Zealand Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (NZMMNA) President David Pala’amo was very happy with the tournament overall.

“We are pleased by the growing interest in Mixed Netball, especially with the number of young players coming through,” Pala’amo said. “And to finish with a double over time final in A grade was something really special.”

Planning now begins for the 30th anniversary National Men’s Netball Tournament to be held in Rotorua 10-13 September 2014 with next year’s Mixed tournament scheduled for Easter 2015.

Results Summary
Mike Siave Cup Final (A Grade):
North Harbour Maroon 68 v Canterbury Black 66
Coach: Michelle Vaeau - North Harbour Maroon
Player Of The Match: Amanda Siave – Canterbury Black

Bowl Final (B Grade)
Canterbury Red 56 v North Harbour Blue 54
Coaches: Andrew Jarvie and Michael Wyllie - Canterbury Red
Player Of The Match: Denholm Griffin – Canterbury Red

Under 23 Final
North Harbour Black 47 v North Harbour White 35
Coach: Kevin Bell - North Harbour Black
Player Of the Match: Taylor Glassie - North Harbour Black

Plate Final (Masters Grade)
Auckland Masters 44 v Auckland White 38
Coach: Eddie Erick - Auckland Masters
Player of the Match: Leigh Paparoa - Auckland Masters

- Ends -

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