Tysons going for six in a row

 

Naumai will go into Saturday’s premier final as massive underdogs against Tysons East on Saturday afternoon.

 Tysons are chasing their sixth consecutive premier one netball title and go into the final as the form team of the season.

 Naumai, meanwhile, scraped into the final with an extra-time semi-final win against Inglewood. 

 Naumai captain Heidi Kahupukoro said it had been a tough season, especially without having a consistent lineup.

“I don’t think we have had a game yet where everyone has been available to play. So it’s a credit to all the girls on making it this far as we’ve had quite a few out of position.”

Naumai lost one match in grading and two in the championship round.

Tysons coach Jane Parker-Bishop hasn’t underestimated Naumai and predicted the final would be a good contest.

“We’ve been doing this with them for a few years now and it’s never easy.”

 She said her team built up a good team culture in what’s been a tumultuous year for most.

“And we turn up every week because Tysons’ environment is exceptional.”

Tysons only lost two matches this season and that was in the grading round. Parker-Bishop wasn’t worried about the early-season losses and said it was a round of information gathering to devise a strategy for the championship round.

The five-from-five record in the second round was also down to good synergy, she said.

“We mahi (work) hard for each other and sing from the same hymn book,” she said.

Wing attack Nikita Roberts and defender Rhiannon Utton are the form players for Tysons.

“Nikita is incredibly dynamic and a wonderful pillar in the midcourt. Rihannon works tirelessly for her team. She brings the kaha  (strength).”

 The premier one final starts at 4pm, while Stratford/Eltham and Hawera High School meet in the premier three final at 12:30pm and Sacred Heart Girls’ College play Naumai for the premier two title at 2:15pm.