NZ Mens National Tournament Results

Nov 2nd - 4th - Click below to download Results

NZ Men’s National Netball Championships

The NZ Men’s National Netball Championships concluded on Saturday at the Auckland Netball Centre with several exciting and entertaining matches. In the B grade final Stormers took out the title from a valiant Nelson side while Canterbury reinforced their development strength comfortably taking out the U23 title over Auckland.

The A Grade final between Canterbury and Waitakere proved to be more closely contested than expected. Canterbury went into the final as favourites having won the national title 15 times previously and having accounted for Waitakere in round robin play 63-47. However, Waitakere began the final keen to reverse that result.

Both sides began strongly on defence forcing turnovers from each other and saw the score locked at one-all after 4 minutes of play. Canterbury’s Victor Godsmark at Goal Defence led the way for his side with some dogged and determined play. He was well supported by Dallas Harema (WD) whose speed and reactions punished Waitakere for any lack of concentration or commitment to the ball. While remaining in touch at the end of the first quarter Waitakere came under more pressure during the second with Canterbury utilising the height of Goal Shoot Jonathon Geldard to great advantage and establishing a handy 10 goal margin heading into half-time.

While Waitakere’s coach Karen Wilson had limited bench options she rearranged the mid-court moving Andre Wha’anga into Centre. This gave Waitakere a lift and they began the third quarter with renewed confidence narrowing the gap to six goals and bringing Matt Wetere at goal attack more effectively into play. In response Junior Tana at goal attack for Canterbury steadied his side and they were able to pull away again to hold a comfortable 9 goal lead at three-quarter time. While Waitakere’s circle defence worked tirelessly they had little to offer against the substantial height of Geldard and coach Wilson again went to her bench moving Michelle Vaeau back into goal keep and inserting promising NZ U23 player Kruze Tangira into goal defence. While Tangira lacks some inches his elevation is impressive and he was able to apply pressure to the Canterbury attack.

While Waitakere were able to force turnovers from Canterbury, they were unable to convert many of these with Canterbury’s through court defence able to restrict the Waitakere attack and restrict their feeding options.

With both teams contesting strongly the game could easily have lost structure however credit must go to the umpires Gareth Fowler and Greg Barbet who maintained good control and with their clear communication the match remained a positive spectacle.

At the final whistle Canterbury had stretched their lead and took the game out 60-49. Coach David Pala’amo could be justifiably proud of his side’s consistent and cohesive performance in securing their 16^th title.