Netball: Topping front of mind for Tysons ahead of semi-final

Will Johnston 

Tysons captain Amber Ormond said there is extra motivation ahead of Thursday night’s semi-final in the Bayleys premier netball league. 

The top seeds will play fourth-placed Inglewood Summit in the first play-off match at the TSB Hub in Hawera.  

Ormond said the late Ivy Topping will be front of mind for the players given the impact Topping made to the club after forming it in 1989. Topping died last month.  

“We are doing it for her,” Ormond said.  

The motivation is personal for Ormond, as Topping had a significant influence during her early playing years and later coached her in both club and representative netball. 

“She set my 10-year plan about how I was going to become a Silver Fern when I was about 11.” 

During the season, Tysons cruised through the two-round, 10-match competition with an unblemished record and finished the regular season with 65 points – 16 ahead of defending champions New Plymouth Old Boys. They also scored the most goals for the season with 727. 

Ormond said she isn’t sure what’s behind their wins.  

“We definitely haven’t reached our potential yet so there’s lots to improve on, but experience helps,” she said. “We know what we need to do.”  

She pointed out Heidi Kahupukoro's experience, who’s had a standout season on both ends of the court.  

“She does a great job defensively of wearing attackers down and also adds lots of speed and accuracy on attack. 

“Our defensive end has been epic.”  

Penny Johnston and Liz Tuki are others who have played well. Ormond said Tuki has played the best netball she’s seen her play this season. 

Inglewood has won six matches during the regular season, but Ormond knows they are eager to create an upset.  

“They’ll throw everything at us. They’re always relentless, so we know we just have to be clinical and accurate and get the job done.”  

Centre pass is at 6:30pm.  

In the other semi-final, New Plymouth Old Boys play Stratford-Eltham in the second versus third match at the later time of 8pm.  

Both teams have the same win-loss record with seven wins this season. Old Boys had the better points differential to claim second place.  

In premier two, New Plymouth Girls High School plays Naumai and Tysons faces Tukapa. Both games are on Thursday. 

In premier three, Naumai, Stratford-Eltham, Inglewood and Te Paepae O Aotea formed the top four. Semi-finals will be played on Friday.  

Finals day will be held at the TSB Stadium on Saturday, July 27.