Manawatu Standard

New-look premier club competitio­n

- George Heagney

Two grades will be in action this season in a new-look premier club competitio­n.

After a delayed start due to Covid-19, netball starts with premier and premier reserve grades, both with six teams, playing at the Arena in Palmerston North on Tuesday nights.

The premier grade was previously eight teams, but the two bottom teams have dropped into the new premier reserve grade, which will now run alongside the top competitio­n.

In the top flight are last year’s champions Feilding, beaten finalists Rahui from taki, Manukura Black, Manukura Red, Palmerston North Girls’ High School and Massey A1.

In the premier reserve grade is College Old Girls, Feilding A2, Massey A2, Feilding Reserves, Rahui A2, and Kia Toa.

Feilding A2 and Massey A2 were in the premier competitio­n last year.

Feilding A1 v Girls’ High, 6pm; Manukura Black v Manukura Red, 6pm; Rahui v Massey A1, 7.40pm.

Premier:

Premier reserve:

Massey A2 v Feilding Reserves, 6pm; Feilding A2 v Rahui A2, 7.40pm; COG v Kia Toa, 7.40pm.

Both grades will play two rounds, but at the end of the first round, the bottom-placed team in the premier grade will play the top premier reserve team.

The winner will finish the season in the premier grade and the loser will compete in premier reserve.

At the end of the season, teams five and six in the premier grade will play the top two premier reserve teams in promotionr­elegation games.

The bottom two premier reserve teams will also play the top two teams from the premier two competitio­n, which is played on Saturdays along with all other grades, in promotion-relegation matches.

 ?? DAVID UNWIN/ STUFF ?? Feilding A1 will be out to defend their premier club netball title this year.
DAVID UNWIN/ STUFF Feilding A1 will be out to defend their premier club netball title this year.

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