Big finale for men’s competition

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The inaugural Tairawhiti men’s netball championship title goes on the line when The Noogies take on Uawa at the YMCA tomorrow night.

Six teams have contested a round-robin competition since the competition started on July 25.

The Noogies, whose name was taken from the nickname Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith gave themselves at the Hurricanes, are so far unbeaten in the competition.

But their game against Uawa was decided by just one goal (30-29).

Another close and exciting match between them looms tomorrow night to decide the title.

The Noggies finished the round-robin phase on 20 points, Uawa were second on 17, Big M had 12, BDPC had 9, and LHS and The Joops both had 2.

It is 1 v 2 for the final, 3 v 4 (Big M versus BDPC) for third/fourth placings, and 5 v 6 (LHS versus The Joops) for fifth/sixth.

Netball fans have been treated to some high-flying action over the past five weeks, and that ball-winning commitment will be on show again in the finals.

Netball commentator Sherrill Beale has called it “thoroughly entertaining”.

The first playoff match will be between The Joops and LHS at 5.45pm.

Big M and BDPC will start at 6.45pm, and then the final between The Noogies and Uawa starts at 7.45pm.

“We hope the final night draws a big crowd,” Gisborne Netball Centre manager Allisa Hall said.

“These should be great match-ups.

“The last time these teams met was our closest evening of results for the league, with the biggest goal margin only three points.”

Entry will be free of charge.