North repeated their effort from pool play to upset defending champions Waikato 51-46 in the final of the national netball championships here tonight.
North burst out of the blocks and led 14-6 midway through the first quarter as North shooter Catherine Latu moved into space well and the defence was watertight down the other end of the court.
But the lead was soon trimmed to one by the end of the first quarter, 15-14, as the Waikato midcourt of Laura Langman, Amigene Metcalfe and Rebecca Gabel found their rhythm.
Waikato got their noses in front early in the second quarter and led by seven goals at one stage during the quarter.
Trailing 24-27 at halftime, North coach Yvonne Willering brought Daneka Wipiiti on at goal shoot, dropping Latu to the bench.
A close quarter followed as both sides looked after their centre pass.
North clawed their way back to the lead, but lost it again with three minutes left and trailed 38-39 at the end of the third quarter.
Willing brought Brigette Tapene on for the crucial last quarter, resting veteran goal attack Teresa Tairi.
With five minutes to play North led 47-43, but Waikato closed to within one to set up a tense final few minutes.
But a short pass from Anna Senio to Irene van Dyk provided the vital turnover in the dying minutes, and left the defending champions too much work to do.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
Netball: North upset defending champs
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