Canterbury edge Manawatū in final
The Manawatū over-30s men fell at the final hurdle at the national masters touch tournament in Palmerston North.
Manawatū lost 10-9 to Canterbury in the final at Ongley Park on Sunday, their only loss of the three-day tournament.
Canterbury had trailed 3-1 in the first half, but levelled it 6-6 at halftime.
They led 10-8 and 10-9 late in the game, and held out a late attack by Manawatū.
Manawatū, who had former All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder in their ranks, won all but one of their nine pool games, the exception a 7-7 draw with Canterbury, and beat North Harbour 7-5 in the semifinal.
In the over-40 women’s grade, Manawatū finished sixth after one win and five losses in pool play. Then they lost their crossover game.
Counties Manukau won the final 10-1 against Waikato.
Manawatū finished seventh in the over-40 men’s competition, beating King Country 5-4 in the playoff for seventh and eighth. They earlier had one win and six losses.
Waikato beat Canterbury 7-6 in the final.
In the over-45 men’s division, Manawatū finished sixth, losing their playoff game 6-3 to North Harbour.
In pool play they had one win, three losses and two draws.
Bay of Plenty beat Counties Manukau Black 6-5 in the final.
Manawatū finished fourth in the over-50 men’s grade, losing the playoff for third and fourth 5-2 to Otago.
In pool play they won three and lost three, then won their crossover game.
Auckland won the final 5-4 over Bay of Plenty.
In the men’s over-60 competition, North Harbour won the title, beating Canterbury in the final 6-1.
Waikato won the over-27 women’s title, beating Hawke’s Bay 5-4 in the final.
Auckland won the over-55 men's and over-45 women's grades.