She said the Charissa Barham-coached All In played the way they had done in the previous three rounds.
"I think it was a good game despite the score," she said, singling out Timms for her royal battle with Otane's Rebbeca Kupa.
However, Otane player/co-coach Tammy Kupa said McPhee had been registered with Otane for the past three years and had made herself available again this season.
Kupa said the goal shoot wasn't getting enough minutes on the court at Beko League so Otane offered to give her game time, something it had done last season as well but was sporadic in her appearances because of representative duties.
"She's not actually been playing in the Beko League because she isn't getting any game time."
Kupa asked why shouldn't Bay-bred players not return to play for the teams where their skills were honed.
"She was in college when she played for our team so why shouldn't they be allowed to come back to our league where they started?
"I think it's ridiculous they think that just because someone plays out of the region they have no right to be playing in our competition."
Kupa said it called for a mindset of releasing talent with everyone's blessings to excel at the higher echelons but also have peace of mind to return to slip on a bib again, if need be.
"It wasn't a shooting game that won it tonight but an offensive game that won it so they need to get over that and focus on what they need to do."
She said McPhee wasn't on the original squad list because the player had indicated her intention to play here after the season started.
"We haven't just registered before this game. She's been registered for weeks."
Kupa said there wasn't anything sinister about McPhee's timing for the shield final because she was available for the Havelock North House of Travel Kauri game but had arrived here too late to start.
Outkast Optimise Physio player Kimiora Poi came to and fro from the Beko League so it wasn't a new concept.
Amner said they found out late about McPhee but treated it as "it is what it is".
"Candis and Becky were marking each other and it was beautiful to watch," said Amner, also lauding All In player Jade Kupa, niece of Tammy and Rebecca.
She said the school gym wasn't big enough the army of fans who had turned out to watch.
Kauri will play HHSOG Huias in next week's promotion-relegation game in the wake of Kauri's 48-44 loss to Hastings Girls' High School Senior A in last night's Woodford House curtainraiser.
HGHS coach Amanda Petera said her team's victory was the result of a polished team effort.
"They were under pressure and they all responded ... I'm pleased with them all."
The score was 10-all after the first quarter, Kauri led 21-19 at halftime and the score was 32-all after the third quarter.
Central Sports Vet Services HB and Outkast finished third equal after their game in Waipukurau's AW Parsons Stadium was drawn 40-all.
"Central sunk a penalty shot at the end to get a draw. But a draw is better than a loss," Outkast manager Lauren Marsh said.
Her wing defence, Laine Robinson, was Outkast's player of the match and goal shot Corra Quinn had another consistent display. Central led by six at halftime and midcourter and co-captain Anna Cudby was classy for the hosts.
Napier Girls' High School walloped HHSOG Spicers Keas 68-28 in the playoff for fifth at Sacred Heart College.
NGHS coach Annemarie Kupa said the return of New Zealand Maori Secondary Schools defender Jaydi Taylor-Chaffey made a huge difference to her roster but the entire squad contributed.
"All the girls are starting to connect and the cobwebs are out of the way," said Annemarie Kupa.
