Netball: Outkast lost for words in historic win

ANOTHER CHAPTER: Outkast players celebrate their inaugural Hawke's Bay Super 6 netball title win last night. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

MAKING history is one thing ... describing it is another.

"I can't describe it," Outkast Optimise Physio manager Lauren Marsh said after her team's 51-46 win against defending champions Otane Thirsty Whale in last night's Hawke's Bay Super 6 premier club netball final at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena.

It was a thriller with 14 minutes of extra time required after the score was 39-all at the end of regulation time. Marsh said the side worked hard on its fitness during the week in case extra time was required.

"We've exceeded expectations. Our biggest goal was to make the Super 6 and then the top four. We never thought we would make the final ... and to win it, well like I said it's hard to describe."

Marsh was full of praise for the work done in the defensive circle by former Otane player Amanda Palmer who displayed the benefits of her vast experience. Goal shoot Rakei Huata was again around the 90 per cent mark and player-coach Jeda Bartlett was a busy midcourter.

Otane's cause wasn't helped when two goals were deducted from their score at the start of the fourth quarter. These were scored by substitute goal shoot Nichola Heremaia in the third quarter.

Although Heremaia is a registered Otane player her name wasn't entered on last night's team sheet. Otane player-coach Annemarie Kupa said poor shooting, between 30 and 40 per cent, was a big blow to her troops who were aiming to secure the club's 11th title in 13 years.

Otane missed the services of regular goal shoot Kelsey McPhee who was in Australia with the New Zealand Maori team.

"That was our first loss this season and our first in five years. But Outkast played well ... their defence was superb."

Kupa said the form of promising Otane youngsters, her daughter, Parris Petera, at wing attack, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u in both the goal attack and goal defence positions and New Zealand Maori Secondary Schools rep Jaydi Taylor-Chaffey in the midcourt was the huge positive for Otane on the night.

"We won't be short of ammunition when we attempt to get the title back next year," Kupa promised.

Otane led 17-14 with seven minutes remaining in the second quarter. However, at the halftime buzzer Outkast led 19-18.

In the playoff for third Hastings High School Old Girls Proactive Huias beat All In Elusive 40-36. Huias coach Rebecca Martin was proud of the manner her players dug deep when All In got within two with four minutes remaining.

"It's a pity it was a week late ... we should have done it last week," Martin said referring to the previous week's 43-42 semifinal loss to Outkast.

"We just need a bit more mongrel and that will come as some of our players become more experienced in pressure games."

Hawke's Bay under-17 goal attack Hannah Winnie performed well for Huias. Alex Balhorn and Raewyn Parahi combined admirably in the defensive circle and Lee-Anne Taylor had solid shifts in both the centre and wing defence positions.

All In coach Charissa Barham was pleased she was able to get all of her squad on the court and her players never gave up.

"In fact we had enough ball to win and I was happy we were able to recover from an eight goal deficit to get within two towards the end."

"The getting over the line and winning box is the one which will need to be ticked off more reguarly next year," Barham said.

She changed her combinations and style of play with each quarter. Defenders Nina Pineaha and Barbie Thompson impressed for All In.