Excitement builds for premier 1 final
As Hutt Valley champions, the Upper Hutt Maidstone United netball side have rightly left themselves with it all to do on Saturday afternoon.
The Jodie Robertson-coached squad has made the most of a season as title defenders after taking premier one glory for the first time in 34 years last August.
On Saturday Maidstone will again be challenged by an, arguably, underdog Naenae Collegians White.
Maidstone co-captain Kathleen Beckett knows Naenae will be extra motivated after losing their long-term hold of the Hutt Valley title.
‘‘Beating Naenae last year in the final was definitely awesome,’’ the Heretaunga College physical eduction teacher said.
‘‘But I think as important as that was, it was our first win midseason which kind of what made the difference.’’
Beckett had simply played and lost to Naenae too many times.
‘‘It had all become a bit of a head game with us, trying to figure them out so it was good knowing we could beat them.’’
In 2016 Maidstone have continued to better their rivals, winning three out of four games
Finals action
Several local sideswill also play competition deciders at theWalter Nash Centre on Saturday.
The Grand Final between Upper Hutt Maidstone United and Naenae Collegians White starts at 1.30pm.
The UH Maidstone United premier two and premier three sidesmeet College Old Girls’ opponentswith these finals played side by side at 11am.
There is an all Upper Hutt final in senior twowith the UHMUAll Sorts meeting the UH Rams in the first action of the day, at 9am.
The HV Netball junior prizegiving is on Friday evening with the match between the Hutt and Maidstone school sides a battle for Hutt Valley intermediate supremacy. This starts at 7.15pmat theWalter Nash Centre. including the last three.
A regular since 2012, the goal shoot is one of a several experienced players looking to take Maidstone to further success.
With fellow captain Renee Kassey, Louise Wharakura, Bethany Merritt and Sharynia Te Puia the side has an experienced core augmented by young midcourters.