The best the Otago Goldrush can do is a bronze finish after it was outplayed 57-52 by the Waitakere West Auckland Rangers in the semifinal of the New Zealand women's basketball championships last night.
Both Southern teams have been buoyed by results in the opening weekend of the National Hockey League.
Otago Goldrush forward Grace Allan is not exactly the last tall woman standing. But she is one of the few remaining players who can muscle-up under the hoop.
Would the real Southern Steel coach please stand up? Steel chief executive David Bannister yesterday announced the franchise had abandoned its co-coaching arrangement in favour of a traditional coaching structure for the 2013 season.
When the bowler reaches his mark, turns and starts running in, Phil Agent takes a deep breath and whispers to himself: "Watch the ball, watch the ball. And keep your head still."
The Otago Goldrush's prospects of retaining the title it won last season have been dealt a serious blow with a raft of leading players unavailable.
Silver Ferns and Steel shooter Jodi Brown believes she is a better player now than she was five years ago, when she last played for the national side.
It took some individual brilliance from Black Stick Blair Tarrant in the final moments for the Southern Men to secure a dramatic 4-3 win against Capital at the McMillan Hockey Centre yesterday.
The Scorpion women will be carrying the flag for Otago at the national club championships in Nelson this week.
Southern Storm coach Sam Brown was taking the positives out of his side's heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Capital after a dramatic shoot-out at the McMillan Hockey Centre yesterday.
Southern assistant coach Deb Tasi-Cordtz is confident her side will not let complacency get in the way of victory in today's club final against University-Albion.
Cool heads will be required just when the season is heating up.
The Steel has not made a final decision on whether it will retain the co-coaching structure for the 2013 season, chief executive David Bannister says.
Southern Men striker Jeremy Morris has a point to prove this season.
Otago students Leni Ma'ia'i, Mitchell Hobson and Luka Velebit have one great adventure planned.
New Black Caps coach Mike Hesson has had about a month to figure out how to turn the side's performances around and part of the answer appears to be Wellington all-rounder James Franklin.
Southern Storm striker Pip Symes is hoping for the best but fears her side may struggle to compete against the better teams again this season.
Black Caps rookie strike bowler Neil Wagner loves nothing more than getting into a battle.
If Mahe Drysdale donned purple leg warmers and a matching headband, it would probably be just a matter of time before the next generation of rowers followed suit.
Lower Hutt City's small band of supporters chanted "Hutt, Hutt, Hutt" to the tune of Hot, Hot, Hot.
