Netball: Otane Force to face NGHS Seniors in shield round final of Super 8

Tina Arlidge, operations manager of Hawke's Bay Netball, says the shield playoffs will set the tone for Super 8 netball this winter. Photo/file

Defending champions Otane Force and Napier Girls' High School Senior A will decide who will become the Super 8 Shield Final champions tonight.

Top qualifiers Thirsty Whale-sponsored Otane (pool A) and NGHS (pool B) are the undefeated sides in the shield that comprises two pools of four teams each who enter the crossover stage today after three rounds of competition.

The feature game, between the Jewels Falcon-coached favourites and Anne Marie Kupa-coached schoolgirls, from 6.15pm will signal the start of the other playoffs (3rd-4th, 5th-6th, 7th-8th) at the Pettigrew-Green Arena, Taradale, court two.

The losers of the 7th-8th match will play the a promotion/relegation game against top of Saturday premier grade team the following Friday to decide who stays in the elite Super 8 competition and who returns to Saturday netball.

Hasting Girls' High School Senior A and All In Tremains Evasive (the club's second team) are in the 7th-8th playoffs which will start at 7.45pm today.

However, HGHS and Evasive have had some narrow losses so that game should be equally intriguing.

Hawke's Bay Netball operations manager Tina Arlidge says Hastings High School Old Girls Keas are emerging as likely candidates to top the table in the premier Saturday grades but that will be set in concrete after tomorrow's games.

On the adjacent court one at 6.15pm, second placegetters Optimise Physio Outkast Sports (pool A) face All In Tremains Elusive (pool B) in the 3rd-4th playoffs.

Central Sports Netball Club Vet Services (pool A) will tango with Hastings High School Old Girls Proactive Huias in the 7.45pm clash between the 5th-6th sides on PGA 1.