Adrian Seconi

Donna Wilkins just does not know when to stop, but she does know how to win.

Talk about instant rivalry - the Otago Nuggets and the Southland Sharks have played just five times and already there is enough animosity to bridge the 217km between the two cities.

With nine personnel changes, new coaching staff and some poor pre-season results, few are picking the Steel as a force in the ANZ Championship this season. But if the combined Otago-Southland team gets the basics right, perhaps it can surprise a few pundits. Netball writer Adrian Seconi highlights five keys to success.

It could be a tricky season for the Southern Steel, which has lost some key players as well as long-serving coach Robyn Broughton. But, as netball writer Adrian Seconi discovers, the team is quietly confident it can surprise.

Nice finish, but - that about sums up how Otago coach Vaughn Johnson feels about his side's Plunket Shield campaign.

While New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson was yesterday busy saving the test against South Africa with an undefeated century, a star with a familiar name was born in the South.

Unless something completely unexpected happens at the University Oval today, Otago will give Craig Cumming the send-off he deserves.

It appears Otago strike bowler Neil Wagner will have to wait at least another six months before he becomes eligible to play for New Zealand.

One of the great provincial cricket careers is about to end. Adrian Seconi helps Otago opening batsman Craig Cumming look back on the highs and the lows.

Talk about mad March. Hamish Rutherford has scored more runs this month than most of his team-mates have all year and a lot of them came yesterday.

Otago strike bowler Neil Wagner warmed up for the winter tour of the West Indies with a seven-wicket bag against Wellington at the University Oval yesterday.

Inexperience cost the combined Otago-Southland Lois Muir Challenge team as much as anything else, coach Noeline Scott said.

When the Otago Nuggets needed to play some defence they got busy getting frustrated instead.

Tony Brown did not agree to help coach Otago just for the money.

Otago Nuggets guard Riki Buckrell believes his side is more organised, more focused and better equipped to succeed this season.

Canterbury left the field yesterday bathed in bright sunlight, happy to escape with a draw when bad light stopped play, while Otago coach Vaughn was left fuming at the umpires' decision.

Otago spent the day in Canterbury's shadow so it seemed fitting the day's play was brought to an early end when shadows from the tree-lined venue encroached on the pitch.

Reece Young aside, Otago's bowling attack made light work of Canterbury's batting and have put their side in a good position.