Aussies take Kurungaituku title (+pics)

Lana Rapana of Rotoiti Gold at this weekend's Kurungaituku Netball Tournament.

Ngongotaha narrowly missed out on taking out the A grade of this weekend's Kurungaituku Netball Tournament.

Australian visitors Mai Style 1, one of three teams from the club to make the trip across the Tasman, won the title which was decided in a round robin format.

When the two sides met, it was Mai Styles that prevailed 18-16.

The other local side to come close to winning a title was Rotoiti On Tap who came second in the C grade competition to Mai Styles 2.

The B Grade title went to YPM Prems from Gisborne , the D grade title to Judea Pumas from Tauranga and the masters competition was won by Falcon O'Geez Masters from Tokoroa.

Image 1 of 8: Rangi Ratapu. Rotoiti Gold.

''There were eight teams in the A grade and there were four top and four bottom virtually - four really good teams and four not so good,'' said Netball Rotorua secretary and tournament organiser Mary Thompson.

Thompson said organisers could not have asked for anything better from the tournament.

''I think it was better than other years. The teams had graded themselves better - they had put themselves in the right places which makes for a really good tournament. On the whole the games were good, close games and I think that makes a difference.

Next weekend, the third of the tournament, it's the turn of the secondary school teams to battle for honours.

Results:
A Grade Winner: Mai Styles/Australia, Runner Up: Ngongotaha / Rotorua.
B Grade Winner: YMP Prems/Gisborne, Runner Up: C.O. G./Manawatu
C Grade Winner: Mai Styles 2/Australia, Runner UP: Rotoiti On Tap/ Rotorua
D Grade Winner: Judea Pumas/Harbourside Tauranga, Runner Up Tauranga Tearaways/ Harbourside Tga.
Masters Winner Falcon O'Geez Masters/Tokoroa, Runner Up Rototuna Rebels/Hamilton
Uniform: Kween Bees/ Manurewa; Sportmanship: CES Cruisers/Hamilton; Spirit of Keeness: Ruatoki Club/ Whakatane; Goal Average: Ngongotaha/Rotorua.