- By Henry Lee, AUT Journalism Student
Howick College have once again been crowned netball champions of the North Island.
They won the North Island secondary schools’ title for the second year in a row at Waitākere Netball in Auckland on September 6.
They defeated Auckland netball rivals Avondale College 40-39 in a thrilling final, only a week after Howick beat Avondale in the Auckland competition decider.
Howick started slowly in the North Island final, trailing Avondale 18-21 at halftime, but eventually took a 36-28 lead with seven minutes to go.
Avondale never gave up and threatened to tie the game at 40-apiece with seconds to go.
Howick was able to hold off the late charge by Avondale to claim the North Island championship.
Although Avondale finished second, they qualify along with Howick as one of the top eight college teams from the North Island to contest the national secondary schools’ champs at Christchurch Netball Centre in early October.
