The Awanui Cruisers finished their senior Mangonui netball season campaign undefeated across all three rounds, taking out the A2 grade's Presidents' round as well as the A1 grade's sponsorship and championship rounds.
The side completed the season by playing A1 grade title contenders, Te Rarawa Iron Maidens, last Thursday where Awanui spokesperson Stacey Iafeta noted the Ahipara-based team put the Cruisers to the test and made them work hard for the win eventually secured by only one point.
"It was a hard fought game with the Maidens' shooters on form," Iafeta said, adding the team had "really bonded" during the season.
She also noted the side played outside the domestic competition by travelling to Rotorua earlier this month to participate in the annual Kurungaituku tournament celebrating its 80th anniversary. It proved worth the effort although the side didn't do quite as well as had been hoped.
"It was an amazingly well run tournament and wonderful to be a part of the celebrations. We came away feeling extremely proud of ourselves and honoured to represent Awanui and the Far North. We definitely encourage all teams in the Mangonui competition to start fundraising early and make the effort to go and participate in this event. Well be there again next year and believe other teams will not regret going either," she said.
