Awards: Pick most magical sports moment

Tim Southee took five wickets in eight balls in 2010, making it a magical sports moment.

The finalists have been named for the 2013 Northland Sports Awards' Northern Advocate People's Choice Award and voting is now open.

From a horde of entries received, Sport Northland has narrowed Northland's most magical sporting moment down to eight.

Moments range from 1968 to 2012, Northland men's and women's table tennis winning their teams event at the 1968 national Table Tennis Championships, and the two "Paint it Red" Rugby World Cup games at Toll Stadium in 2011.

Also included were the Northland men's hockey team winning the Challenge Shield final, beating Auckland in extra time on penalty strokes, and Blyth Tait winning an Olympic gold medal on Reddy Teddy at the Atlanta Olympics.

The People's Choice Award sought entries for the moments in Northland sport that were considered "magical", with suggestions coming from sporting bodies and the public.

Voting closes at midnight on November 25, so get voting.

The winner will be announced at the 2013 Northland Sports Awards on November 29.

To vote:

Txt NAD and your vote to 021 241 4568, or email sports@northernadvocate.co.nz.

Finalists:

1968: Men's and women's table tennis teams complete a double for Northland, both winning their respective open New Zealand Table Tennis Championships team events in Christchurch.

1972: Ranfurly Shield challenge vs Auckland at Okara Park in front of 40,000 people, losing 16-15.

1996: Northland men's hockey team wins the Challenge Shield final beating Auckland in extra time on penalty strokes.

1996: Blyth Tait wins an Olympic gold medal on Reddy Teddy at the Atlanta Olympics.

2008: Sam Warriner finished the year ranked as the World No1 female triathlete.

2010: Tim Southee takes five wickets in eight balls, including a hat-trick vs Pakistan at Eden Park in a T20.

2011: Two "Paint it Red" Rugby World Cup games at Toll Stadium; the first sold-out crowds of the tournament.

2012: Cameron Leslie wins back-to back Paralympic gold medals, breaking the world record in the 150m Individual Medley at the 2012 London Games.