The Tysons Toa juggernaut continues in Taranaki netball with a 51-40 win against New Plymouth Old Boys (NPOB) in the premier one final at the TSB Stadium.

Saturday’s win is Tysons’ eighth consecutive championship and their 13^th since 1998.

Tysons coach Che Tamati, who was at the helm for seven of the previous titles, said his team deserve to claim the trophy.

“Our girls don’t turn up to training for nothing,” he said. “There has to be something in it, that’s why they come back. They do the work and deserve to win.”

He said the team’s culture keeps the retention rate high.

“Players come back because they enjoy it.”

The year caps off an unbeaten run in the shortened season and only suffered a draw in the second round against NPOB.

Tysons suffered serious blows leading up to the final. Heidi Kahupukoro suffered a calf injury at training and several other players were in doubt after being unwell the week before.

It forced Tamati to make some changes to the starting seven.

He said given the lack of connection, NPOB got out to a 4-0 lead early in the first quarter, but Tysons clawed their way back with seven consecutive goals.

With an 11-8 lead after the first quarter, Jane Parker-Bishop and Jessica Tuki started to put pressure on NPOB at either end of the court. But NPOB held on with the score locked up at 22-all at halftime.

NPOB supporters were in full voice for much of the match.

Heading into the last two quarters, Tamati made several changes.

“We made mistakes in the first half and some players had no energy to run a full game because they had been sick. It was important to manage the players,” he said. 

It proved vital for Tysons because they got out to a 39-30 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Connie Clement had a strong game for Tysons. She slotted 26 goals from 28 attempts which was complimented by Amber Ormond’s 25 goals from 27 attempts.

It was Clement and Parker-Bishop’s 11^th consecutive final. The pair played in three finals for Raukura and the remainder with Tysons.

Kelston Reynold’s scored 28 from 37 attempts and Vanessa Weir shot 12 from 19 for NPOB.

Tamati said Tysons’ Jess Tuki was the player of the match in her returning year. He was impressed with Amelita Peters, who played well in her first final.

“She’s been amazing this year. She’s one to watch.”

Tamati was also pleased to see NPOB in the final.

“It’s one thing to get into the final and another to play like they did. They really came and gave it their all.”

Unfortunately for Tamati, he wasn’t able to nab two trophies on finals day because his other team Sacred Heart Girls’ College lost to Naumai 57-39 in the premier two final.

Tukapa pipped Bell Block Marist Dragons 46-45 in extra time to claim the premier three trophy.

Article added: Sunday 12 June 2022