Maidstone Utd run away with premier title

In the end it came easy as the Upper Hutt Maidstone United netball premiers made no race of retaining their Hutt Valley champion status.

Maidstone ran away from their vaunted Naenae Collegians opposition, winning 52-36 in the Saturday afternoon final at the Walter Nash Centre

Naenae were competitive early and led by four goals midway through the second quarter before Maidstone closed to 22-21 at halftime.

Then it all changed as Maidstone stepped up in pace and accuracy.

They totally dominated the second 30 minutes to the merry tune of 31-14 to set up the comfortbale 16 goal win.

The win follows the side’s 2105 success where they ended Naenae’s long hold on the Hutt Valley competition.

Maidstone coach Jodie Robertson was ecstatic with the win and her side’s season which included playing through to the Division one final of the Regional Super League.

‘‘The regional play was important and to finish off with a title win as good as this was outstanding,’’ she said.

Robertson made several substitutions which delivered results,

‘‘I knew I had depth on the bench and that whoever I put on would go out there and deliver.’’

The side’s fitness was also a factor in the big turnaround, Robertson said.

Alicia Clegg’s game was impressive. The Heretaunga College teenager grabbed plenty of turnover ball while Hannah Bedford, an ex-SMOG player, was an influential mid-courter who stayed right in the battle even after taking a heavy knock.

At goal shoot Kathleen Beckett was in her best touch in a 60 minute effort that deservedly earned her the Player of the Final award.

‘‘She was terrific, holding her space well and dealt with some crap ball. Throughout this season she has been real good and solid,’’ Robertson said.

With a four wins the Upper Hutt Maidstone United club had a finals day to remember. Early success came in the all-Upper Hutt Senior 2 final where the UHMU All Sorts toppled the UH Rams 32-28. Maidstone’s Spring Chooks beat College Old Girls 32-27 in the premier three final while the Maidstone seconds beat COG opponents, 62-56, to win the premier two and promotion in 2017.