Netball: Aucklanders too slick for Southland

Auckland Waitakere overwhelmed Southland in the final of the Perry Foundation National Championship at the weekend.

The Auckland side took the title with a convincing 47-33 win in Invercargill, reversing the 45-56 loss to Southland in last year's final.

Auckland Waitakere captain Rachel Rasmussen said after letting themselves down last season they were thrilled to be able to put things right this year.

There was much for Auckland Waitakere to celebrate on the final day of the tournament, with their B team winning the second grade title after also falling short in last year's final.

Star shooter Cathrine Latu was named player of the tournament.

The second grade tournament team featured three Auckland Waitakere players, with one of those - Frances Jackways - named player of the tournament.

While Northern Mystics coach Te Aroha Keenan was delighted to see Auckland Waitakere, one of the Mystics three regional partners, dominate the national championships, the tournament also provided an element of disappointment for her.

The Mystics' other main stakeholder, Netball North, have been dropped to the second tier of the first grade after losing their promotion-relegation match against Wellington.

The demotion means North will not get a shot at the title next year.