Adrian Seconi

Gayle Hall has been at her son's side cheering him on all his life but she has never yelled as loud as she did yesterday.

North Otago strike bowler David Sewell rates his side's victory in the Hawke Cup as one of his career highlights.

For those who know Adam Hall best it came as no surprise the courageous skier rebounded from a fall to win gold in the men's standing slalom at the Winter Paralympics in Vancouver yesterday.

Otago captain Craig Cumming fell 18 runs short of what would have been a third first-class century this summer.

Steel defender Emma Moynihan burst on to the national netball scene as a speedy 17-year-old schoolgirl and spent two seasons on the bench for the champion Sting side.

Better this week than next. That was Steel coach Robyn Broughton's attitude after her team slumped to a 58-51 defeat by the Canterbury Tactix in a warm-up match at the Edgar Centre on Saturday.

No-one said it would be easy but the Otago Nuggets were not expecting reality to bite so hard.

The Otago Nuggets will have to counter the class and experience of the Christchurch Cougars with the only weapons they have - two skilful American imports and plenty of youthful enthusiasm.

A solid 134-run opening partnership between Rob Nicol and Michael Papps enabled Canterbury to reach to a useful 218 for four after the first day of their Plunket Shield four-day match against Otago in Queenstown yesterday.

Basketball Otago board member Simon Clarke is hopeful 2000 people will turn out for the Nuggets' first home game since May 2008.