Sunday 10^th November saw the very first Men’s Netball League in Hawke’s Bay get started at Pettigrew Green Arena, Taradale. Hawke’s Bay Netball’s General Manager Tina Arlidge said “It was fantastic to finally see this competition get off the ground, after the increased profile of Men’s Netball Nationally through the Cadbury Netball Series earlier in the year, it was our time to put a peg in the sand and go for it.  Although it would have been great to have a couple more teams, four teams enabled the competition to go ahead and we are looking forward to growing it from here.  Tina applauded the Toki Incorporated and All IN Netball Clubs for getting in behind this new competition and providing opportunities for males in Netball under their club structures.  This competition also provides our region’s best Umpires and Bench Officials an opportunity to further develop their skills through the fast paced game the Men provide”. Spectators were also in for a treat with the flair and skill the men provided in the first round.

Rescom Hawke's Bay Netball Umpires Taini Douglas and Sophie Martin complete their player checks, while Bench Officials Julie Shaw and Sarah Love complete the paperwork prior to the first round

The four teams were made up of two Club teams as mentioned earlier, Toki Toa and All In, with a third team from Wairoa, Te Wairoa.  The fourth team is a make up team of individuals who registered and is coordinated by Hawke's Bay Netball, Hawke's Bay Tane.

Toki Toa - Team Members are Jason Hellyer, Tyson Leutele, Jahvaughn Manaena, Sam Miringaorangi, Jason Morton, Jacob Nahora, Troy Skipworth and Roman Wilcox, Coach - Renee Whitiora and Manager Norma Shield with Tyson Leutele as Captain.

All In players as follows, Arama Jackson, George Watson, Hamish Grant, Karnak Heremu-Bartlett, Liam Newton-Karekare, TK Thompson, Tane-Rore Rakatairi, Coach - Candis Timms, Manager - Avon Waretini and Captain Arama Jackson.

Te Wairoa players as follows: Tauru Cotter, Lenny Ferris, Stephen Foley, Raymond Hawley, Jess Karene, Manaaki Olsen, Tony Robin, Makoro Tipuna, Levi Tahuri, Wade Wesche, and Kenny Tahuri, Coach - Ricky Tahuri and Rupene Amoto, Manager - Michelle Tahuri and Captain Kenny Tahuri.

Hawke's Bay Tane players: Jono Love, Tafiti Utumapu, Joe Cook, Andrew Benjes, Wayne Mason, Tony Gardiner, Aaron Mischefski, Tony Chadd and Cameron Rafferty-Powell, Coach - Tina Arlidge and Captain Tony Gardiner.

On Court One we saw Toki Toa take on Te Wairoa.  Toki took the early lead in the first quarter 13 – 8, with Wairoa having a better second quarter only going down by one goal with the overall score 22 – 16.  Wairoa also stayed within three goals of Toki in the third, 35 – 26.  Toki showing their strength in the fourth quarter to equal their first quarter win of 5 goals taking the game 51 – 37 and making their mark in the competition as the one to beat.  Toki’s stand out shooter Troy Skipworth, only moving into the GA position in the second half scored a massif 23 from 26 shooting at 88%, and the top shooter from Te Wairoa was Tony Robin shooting at 77% sinking 23 from 30 attempts with playing three quarters in a shooting position.

On Court Two All In played HB Tane.  HB Tane a team who had only just met each other 30 minutes prior to the start whistle, this was always going to be tough game.  They were pleasantly surprised to go goal for goal in the first quarter showing the potential of the team, however All in took it out 8 – 6 after a three goal run late in the quarter.  All In continued their dominance with half time score 21 – 12, third quarter 37 – 17, and final score 52 – 24.  The most outstanding shooter for All In was George Watson shooting 21 goals from 27 attempts, 78% and only playing GS for the second half. Cameron Rafferty-Powell from HB Tane although only shooting at 52% managed to get 17 of the 24 goals for the team.

Next Sunday we look forward to seeing Toki Toa vs HB Tane and All IN vs Te Wairoa, with both games starting at 2pm, Pettigrew Green Arena.