Ngongotahā took their fourth title on Thursday night. Photo / Supplied
Ngongotahā took their fourth title on Thursday night. Photo / Supplied
It was 12-all at the end of the first quarter, but there wasn't a moment that Ngongotahā weren't confident they would win.
"Sometimes they just need some time to get started," coach Aroha Taipeti says.
And Thursday night's final against Mount Allied was no different.
For the third year in a row the Harbourside Division 1 winner has come down to a Ngongotahā and Mount final and this year, like every other, it has ended with the same result - a Ngongotahā win.
Ngongotahā secured a sizeable 52-34 win over their opponents, and, to celebrate, Taipeti says they were planning to just get some dinner - with their children and family who came to support them in tow.
Taipeti says she is pleased with how her team played throughout the season, remaining unbeaten throughout to take a fourth win in the competition.
The first quarter of the game seemed to play out goal for goal, with no team leading by more than two points at any point of the 15 minutes.
Ngongotaha took their fourth title on Thursday night. Photo / Supplied
After a short break, Ngongotahā went into the second quarter ready to win, playing smart with short and effective passing throughout the court. Every single player putting their bodies on the line and sharp shooting from goal attack Bianca Kiwi-McLeod who was equally impressive in her rebounds despite having a tough defensive player such as Mount's goal keep, Sarah Lansdown, in opposition in the circle.
Taipeti says she didn't say anything in particular to her team in that first break, but they came out proving they wanted the win and coming into half-time had a 7-point lead, 24-17.
The third quarter was a much closer game, with Ngongotahā only increasing their lead by one point, ending it with a score of 34-26.
In that final quarter, however, Ngongotahā proved why they had won the last four seasons and left Mount Allied with a trail they couldn't come back from - winning the game by 18 points.
Mount Allied player-coach Lansdown said her team put up a good fight, but by the third quarter, Ngongotaha, took over.
Ngongotahā took their fourth title on Thursday night. Photo / Supplied
"They know how to win. They were awesome, they deserve it," Lansdown said.
She said Mount Allied had an exciting season, with Ngongotahā being their most significant competition throughout, but hoped next year would be fourth time lucky for her and her side.
