Netball: Canterbury hang on for national title

Charlotte Kight (L) and Victoria Smith of Canterbury celebrate their win. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury claimed their first national netball title in eight years with a heart-stopping 53-52 win against defending champions Auckland-Waitakere in today's final in Auckland.

Canterbury always had their noses slightly in front but had to stave off a late Auckland surge before ending the competition unbeaten.

Canterbury goal shoot Ellen Halpenney kept her cool, nailing a pressure shot to secure the win after they had led at each interval.

Halpenny landed 38 of her 43 attempts, while Auckland sharpshooter Cathrine Latu had a perfect shooting record in a losing team, with 37 from 37.

"It's fantastic. It was a total team effort -- I know it sounds cliched but it was," Canterbury defender Victoria Smith told Sky Sport.

"It felt like the crowd was against us but I knew we could do it, we've gone through undefeated and I'm so proud of the girls."

Canterbury beat Auckland by 18 goals a week ago but the hosts, in their fifth successive national final, were right in the contest throughout the match today.

Nine of the 12-strong Canterbury squad were involved with the Tactix in this year's trans-Tasman championship.

- NZPA