The Otago Daily Times counts down the 150 greatest moments in Otago sport.
No 69: Otago wins Caltex Cup (1998)
One national title is great. Two in the space of three months just sounds greedy.
But Otago netball fans weren't complaining in 1998 when their two teams delivered them a remarkable unbeaten season.
Two teams? Yes, indeed. Plain old Otago went to the national provincial championships, and earlier in the year the new Otago Rebels stormed to victory in the inaugural final of the revamped national league.
Between them, the sides won 22 consecutive games.
The Rebels got a lot of attention, because the new Coca-Cola Cup was fresh and glamorous.
But the stalwart fans took just as much, if not more, pleasure out of Otago claiming the Caltex Cup in August.
It was Otago's first outright win in the national tournament in 66 years, and followed bridesmaid finishes in 1996 and 1997.
Otago was just the Rebels in disguise: Katie Fay and Belinda Blair formed a dominant defensive line; Vic Edward, Lesley Nicol and Anna Rowberry brought strength and consistency and spark to the midcourt; and Adine Harper, Belinda Colling and Jo Steed created and scored goals from everywhere.
Off the court, coach George Salter directed everyone with her unique blend of knowledge, humour and daring.
Tournament week was in Hamilton, and Otago had to squeeze past host Waikato by a goal on the Tuesday. But on the Saturday, it was all Otago, beating Wellington - coached, coincidentally, by Otago legend Lois Muir - in the final, 60-54.
"When you've worked so hard to get here, it just feels great to have finally made it," Salter said after the match.
"The girls are really exuberant but, for me, it's just a really good feeling to be able to hold that cup. I guess it hasn't sunk in yet."
Otago made it back to the final in 2002, and finished third in 2004, 2007 and 2008.
