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West City and Howick familiar foes at Championship
Championship game will be third matchup between teams in tournament final
The 2010 BNZ National Club Championship thus far has been a festival of games played by 7 clubs from all over New Zealand.
Now it's down to one game and two teams from neighboring clubs.
This is the one game that both teams have been waiting to play since the tournament began on Friday, just perhaps, were destined to play all along: A Championship final.
West City and Howick meeting for the championship game of the '10 National Club Championship should shock no one who has followed the tournament, watching as the defending champion and the 2008 Champion have been sharp and efficient on their way to the final.
When the two teams meet for the third time in the tournament final Sunday afternoon at 1pm at Lloyd Elsmore Park, they'll be way beyond familiarity and rivalry.
They're into historic territory.
"That we were able to come up to the stage together, I really feel great respect for the Howick boys for that," West City manager Ken Sommers said. "And at the same time, I feel like it's the game of the year."
It's certainly the culmination of a season of competition between the two clubs. Since the 2009 Spring Shield, the two teams have faced each other 10 times in club play, with Howick taking three games and West City taking seven.
Howick, playing on their home ground, will be the home team, going in undefeated through round robin play.
"Howick players and West City players are excellent," said Howick outfielder Dale Budge, who plays for the Cyclones. "There is little difference between the two."
On Monday night, there will be one big difference: Only one will go home the National Club Champion.
