News

Canterbury A and Auckland A both went through the first day of the first NPC of 2008 unbeaten, setting up an interesting second day tomorrow.

Canterbury A overcame a spirited Otago team, playing their first NPC tournament, by 10-1 in the first game, before Auckland A held out an experienced Canterbury B combination by 5-3 in the second game.

Canterbury A put itself on top of the table on goal difference posting more large wins against Auckland B and Wellington, while Auckland A had a much closer ‘cross-town’ victory over an ever-improving Counties-Manukau.

After going down narrowly in a low scoring game to Wellington, Otago showed continued improvement to give themselves a morale-boosting victory over Auckland B, but fell short against Counties Manukau.

The day finished with Auckland A recording a regulation victory against their B team, whose form on the court was generally more competitive than the big losses they suffered during the day would indicate.

Results
Canterbury A 10 Otago 1
Auckland A 5 Canterbury B 3
Wellington 5 Auckland B 1
Counties Manukau 2 Canterbury B 11
Otago 1 Wellington 2
Auckland B 0 Canterbury A 22
Auckland A 10 Counties Manukau 6
Otago 8 Auckland B 1
Wellington 3 Canterbury A 17
Counties Manukau 8 Otago 4
Auckland B 0 Auckland A 15

Standings
Canterbury A 4 3 0 0 1 50 4 46 16
Auckland A 4 3 0 0 1 30 9 21 16
Canterbury B 3 1 1 0 1 14 7 7 8
Counties Manukau 4 1 2 0 1 16 25 -9 8
Wellington 3 2 1 0 0 10 19 -9 8
Otago 4 1 3 0 0 14 22 -8 4
Auckland B 4 0 4 0 0 2 50 -48 0