Photo by: Stuff NZ

The last time New Plymouth Old Boys (NPOB) had their named engraved on the Taranaki netball’s premier one trophy was in 2009.  

The New Plymouth side were 52-38 winners over Raukura at the TSB Stadium on Monday, August 31.  

The title was NPOB’s third since 1998 after winning the competition two seasons prior.  

NPOB made the finals after beating Tysons 56-48 in the major semi-final. Tysons got a second life against Raukura a week after when the format of the competition included elimination finals.  

NPOB coach Josie Cleaver (pictured) was absent due to illness, but captain Lana Phipps said after the match: “there was enough experience within the team to take the leadership roles and everyone was overjoyed with the result.”   

“It was physically tough. We didn’t play our best game but at the end, we out our guts on the line.”  

The final was described by Taranaki Daily News journalist Brooke Sheehan as a “nail-biting game, where tensions flared and bodies were sent flying across the court.” 

It was a tight final and was impossible to predict which team would walk away with the trophy.  

NPOB led 12-8 after the first quarter but the robust Raukura closed the gap 23-20 at halftime. It was reported Raukura supporters were in full force during the match. They would stamp their feet on the wooden grandstand floor with every goal scored.  

Despite brilliant play from both sides, NPOB stepped up the tempo in the third quarter to extent their lead to 39-30. That momentum continued in the final quarter with the 14-goal win.  

Raukura’s shooting was impressive with 38 out of 41 attempts. NPOB shot 52 out of 62 attempts.  

Raukura was coached by Linda Rawiri. She was proud of the team’s performance.  

“It was a good game,” she said at the time.  

“We had our chances, but we just didn’t capitalise on the things we had. I’m really proud of the girls. We got this far to the finals. Only two girls in the team have ever made it to the finals, so for their first time, they did brilliantly.”  

NPOB’s Sam Burkhart was named player of the match, with former Central Pulse player Jamilah Gupwell was accurate in the shooting circle. Raukura’s best players were Connie McKenzie and Shannon Berry.  

Tysons Toa has enjoyed seven consecutive titles. While their dominance over recent years has been impressive, this year’s finals opponent is the only team to come close this year with a draw in the first round.  

Article added: Wednesday 08 June 2022