Providing the perfect finishing touches, Howick College and Mount Albert Grammar School will meet in the final of the NZ Secondary Schools Netball Champs after highlighting their credentials in Porirua on Thursday.
Both teams sealed the deal with impressive back-to-back wins on moving day which determined Friday鈥檚 final place play-offs. It has given Howick the rare opportunity of clinching successive national titles while Mount Albert Grammar, a traditional powerhouse at school level, will be searching for their first title since 2018.
With both teams drawn in the same pool for the round robin phase, the pair secured the top two spots to advance to the top eight and into title contention, Mount Albert Grammar finishing top of Pool A on 10 points with Howick just behind on eight points.
Howick suffered their only loss to Mount Albert on the opening day while Mount Albert were held to a draw by Columba College (Dunedin).
However, during the cross-over matches (Wednesday and Thursday) to decide the final play-off order and where teams start on fresh points, Howick and Mount Albert have shown a clean pair of heels, the Auckland pair going through unscathed to top Pools X and W, respectively, to secure their spots in tomorrow鈥檚 final.
The Sulu-Fitzpatrick-coached Mount Albert Grammar delivered with ruthless efficiency when topping 50 goals in each of their two matches on Thursday to bolt into the final in imperious fashion.
Warming up with a 50-21 win over St Hilda鈥檚 Collegiate School (Dunedin) to open their day, Mount Albert followed up with an equally-impressive 56-26 over Wellington鈥檚 Queen Margaret College.
Strong opening and closing quarters proved telling for Mount Albert Grammar, the Auckland side鈥檚 physical presence and accuracy left Queen Margaret College with few answers as they sprung out to a dominant 16-3 first quarter lead.
More competitive through the middle quarters, Queen Margaret College, however, were unable to make any significant inroads while a withering last quarter burst by Mount Albert Grammar ear-marked a comprehensive outing.
Goal shoot Mali Toleafoa was an inspiring figure under the Mount Albert Grammar hoop, relishing the steady supply of ball landing in her hands to deliver a top-quality show of accuracy. Scoring 46 of the team鈥檚 total, Toleafoa was unwavering in scoring all but two of Mount Albert鈥檚 30 first half goals, while sending out an ominous warning.
Ending the unbeaten run and denting Westlake Girls High School鈥檚 further progress with a 28-22 win in the morning round, Howick College finished the day in style with a dominant 42-20 win over Rotorua Girls鈥� High School.
Hitting their straps at the right time, Howick, with many players returning from last year鈥檚 title-winning team, showed their experience when delivering an impressive package across all areas of the court.
On-song from the outset with their smooth and near-perfect through-court transition, Howick were well-served by impressive shooting duo Sierra Lau鈥檈se and Zermahnia Manu in the circle, the pair creating opportunities seamlessly with their deft movement an accuracy.
Howick were equally impressive defensively throughout the court as they relentlessly defused Rotorua鈥檚 attacking momentum. There was no let-up from Howick who held the upper-hand from the outset in securing 10-3, 23-10 and 34-14 leads at the respective breaks.
A well-drilled Howick had the luxury of rotating all their players, showcasing their depth while keeping players fresh for the final, the speed and precision not missing a beat in a polished dress rehearsal leading into the finale.
With just one loss apiece, Trident High School (Whakatane) and Westlake Girls High School (Auckland) could consider themselves a little unlucky to be consigned to the third-place place-off.
The final will be played at 1.40pm tomorrow (Friday).