Netball: Aussies win tournament for first time

Ngongotaha player Patricia Iasona (centre) and Whaka player Jay Law (left). Photo / Ben Fraser

An Australian side has won the 81st Kurangaituku Netball Tournament in Rotorua.

The competitive weekend for the annual tournament was held on Friday and Saturday at the Westbrook Netball Courts on Malfroy Rd.

About 160 teams took to the courts across five grades - A, B, C, D and Masters (over-35s).

In the A grade, Australian side Hiringa proved too strong for the nine other contenders, taking home the tournament title. It is the first time an Australian side has won the A grade.

Ngongotaha finished third, making them the best local team, while Whakarewarewa finished further down the table.

Whaka won the tournament last year but were unable to defend their title this time around.

Ngongotaha captain Aroha Taipeti said they had gone into the tournament wanting to win, but she was still happy with her team's performance to finish third.

"Everybody wants to win. But it has been quite good, a good end to the season," she said.

Ngongotaha played the winning Australian team last on Saturday, losing by six points, and Taipeti said they were a tough side.

"The game was quite rough. But it was a good match, a good, tough game."

Taipeti said it was nice to get one over Whaka during their encounter on Saturday, a match they won 18-16.

Ngongotaha were trailing in the second half but managed to pull the result back to win by two points against the local rivals.

Taipeti said Whaka had to pull a team together for the tournament this year but it was good to see them out there.

The matches at the weekend only lasted 18 minutes, with each team playing about nine games,

The long-standing tournament runs across three consecutive weekends this year, with the final weekend being played this Saturday and Sunday for school teams.

Tournament organiser Mary Thompson said the organisers were really happy with the event at the weekend. She said the rain stayed away for the most part and the teams really enjoyed themselves.