Netball: Stalwart in the minds of Tysons during final win

Will Johnston

Photo by: Raymond Tuuta.

“We wanted to do it for Ivy.” That was how Tysons captain Amber Ormond summed up her team’s victory to claim the Bayleys premier one netball title on Saturday.

Ivy Topping, who started the club in 1989 and died in June but would have been court side during the final at the TSB Stadium.

The coaching stalwart would have witnessed Tysons claim a 65-50 win against Stratford-Eltham, which is their ninth title in 10 years and to complete an unbeaten run this season. The Waitara-based club snatched the title back after New Plymouth Old Boys upset Tysons in the final last year.

But it was Tysons’ day, where the club also claimed the premier two title 56-50 against New Plymouth Girls High School.

Ormond, who has played in most of the nine previous titles, said it was a proud day to share it with the players’ families, including Topping’s widower, Garry and the club’s first sponsors Tony and Betty McGreal.

“It was a great privilege to have them at our game and we were so glad to finish it off for them this year,” she said.  

While Topping was in the hearts and minds of the players, there was another motivating factor for the team. It was Dominic Williams-Ridings’ last match for Tysons as he won’t be eligible to play premier netball next year as he will be over 18 years of age.

“He was outstanding in the final and played the best I’ve ever seen him play. He got some incredible intercepts which was actually a testament to the players around him setting up lifted passes and gave him the opportunity to go for the ball.”

Not only did Riding-Williams stand out, but Tysons experienced players also lifted during the occasion. Former Silver Fern Jess Tuki showed her athleticism and speed, while Heidi Kahupukoro was relentless on defence.

Ormond said its hard to make such a huge impact as a wing defender, but Kahupukoro snacked several intercepts and “really made it hard for their attack.”

But she’s not taking away the effort from Stratford-Eltham, who made it through to their first final.

The central Taranaki side was without Lauren Te Whata, who was away on a basketball trip.

“They never gave up despite being down 10 points after the first quarter. They played a short, accurate game so it’s not that easy to get the ball off them.”

Reflecting on another successful season, she said it “feels awesome” to win another title as the team prepared well and didn’t leave a stone unturned.

“Mentally, we approached the game with a lot more desire and commitment than last year to make sure we started well.”

Stratford-Eltham beat Naumai in the premier three final 57-55.