Post-lockdown Massey A1 weren’t looking their usual selves. Fast-forward five weeks to this year’s premier club final and they were back to their efficient best.
“We’ve got experience in the team and I think that was coming through and showing.” He said their defensive end was working well and getting the ball to the other end of the court. Massey led 35-17 at halftime and were helped by Manukura losing key defender Tahlia Runga to injury. Atkins, who is also an assistant coach for the Central Manawa team in the Beko League, said their shooters had been doing well in the first two weeks and shot at about 90 per cent on Tuesday Manukura Red and Manukura Black were in the unfamiliar spot of both having two losses from two games, but Atkins said they would come back strongly as the season went on.