Netball in 1980 saw a very lopsided A Grade competition.

Netball First grade championship was very lopsided in the 1980's and this showed in games played during April of this year.  The report was as read.

As the season was progressing it was obvious that Collegiate and Ngawai were not going to be able to compete in the first grade.  Not only was it fair on the opponents not getting challenging netball but was demorialising for the players who were getting a thrashing week in and week out .  Rata beat Ngawai, 42 - 14.  An important feature of Rata's play was the constant quick pace it maintained throughout the whole game and the ability to read through the court and anticipate Ngawai's moves and nearly all players took their share of well timed interceptions.  Ngawai's ball handling was poor and if it was not intercepted, went out of court or was dropped. 
Brigadiers scored a high score over Collegiate.  Although the later team started both halves well they did not continue on and Brigadiers Goal Keeper, Carol Watson and Defence June Cairn, produced great tight defence which Collegiates shoots, Alison Popenhagen and Glenda O'Rourke had little chance to get the ball near the goal, but when they did their percentage of shooting was excellent.  Goal attack for Brigadiers, Mia Hamiroa and shoot Mary Thompson showed great court work with Mary the better percentage shooter.  Thompson also showed great skill in plucking the ball from anywhere, especially the rebounds.  Collegiates defence was not match for Brigadiers attack and their centre could not keep pace with Brigadiers Lynley Huntley. 
The game of the day was between United and Brigadiers B, the latter giving their best performance so far this season.  Every player featured in the game with long hard passing.  United moved the ball fast through the court and when Elaine Murdoch, shoot, got the ball she did not miss, but this did not deter the Brigadiers B team. 
St Mary's went down to Bluff 35-30 and St Mary's shoots were not confident and faced a tough defence from Bluff's Kerri Ryan, who worked tirelessly and got her fair share of rebounds.  Spectacular shooting was seen by Bluff's Parua Kamate , whose ability to shoot from anywhere in the circle was not deterred from St Mary's Frances Wilson.  Such shooting provided the perfect finish for the driving centre of Bluff's Sandi Mitchell.