Commentator’s Call: Round 2
SKY Sport commentator Jenny Woods is gearing up for Round 2 of the ANZ Premiership – in this week’s Commentator’s Call she predicts the league’s first extra-time match…
Brief summation of Round 1: two teams look exciting, two teams look promising, two teams would be disappointed. Work them out for yourself.
The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel were exactly as expected in batting away the Northern Stars. Efficient and accurate.The WBOP Magic provided the excitement with the exploits of Monica Falkner and Ariana Cable-Dixon in particular. The youngest player in the competition helped turn the tables for the Central Pulse against the SKYCITY Mystics, Tiana Metuarau showing composure way beyond her 16 years.
But for the Mainland Tactix, and particularly the Stars they would be disappointed with their start to the new league. They play each other in the opening game of this round.The Tactix will be hoping Temalisi Fakahokotau’s back injury improves enough for her to take the court at Horncastle Arena on Sunday afternoon.They’ll also be hoping for fewer turnovers.Some credit must be given to Zoe Walker, who picked up three intercepts and five deflections, but the Magic were rampant for much of the game, running away to a 71-48 victory.
Stars captain Leana de Bruin was fuming after their second loss in two days when they went down to the Magic on Monday night 67-47.That was on the back of Sunday’s 75-57 loss to the Steel. She told a post-match interview she had no doubt her side had the talent, but questioned their hunger.
That’s what makes this Christchurch match so interesting.The Stars will be desperate to make headway, as will the Tactix who at times showed terrific flair on attack, but weren’t able to sustain the effort.
The Steel head to Auckland on Monday night, well-satisfied with their Round 1 outing.Their opposition will be ruing the one that got away.The Mystics won the first half against the Pulse last weekend, but dropped the second, in a game that could have gone either way. Anna Harrison aside, the Mystics didn’t pick up enough ball when it counted.She and defensive partner Storm Purvis will have their hands full trying to curtail Jhaniele Fowler-Reid.The Steel side was clinical against the Stars, but there’s a lot to like about this Mystics side … and this Monday night clash should be close.
Which brings us to Wednesday night … and this is the pattern of the new league ... Sunday afternoon, followed by Monday and Wednesday nights. This will be a goody in Rotorua where two undefeated teams, the Magic and the Pulse meet at the Energy Events Centre.
The Pulse will be delighted with how they held their nerve against the Mystics on Sunday and will want to show it was no fluke. The confidence the likes of Metuarau will take from that performance is immense and she’s not alone. Once they settled, English import Sara Bayman, Claire Kersten, Phoenix Karaka and Katrina Grant picked up a feast of ball and will need to do so again if they’re to stop this Magic side.
This should be the game of the round … and I just wonder if we might see our first taste of extra-time.
You can hear Jenny and her commentary team colleagues calling all the action live on SKY Sport and FanPass (NZ fans) and on the ANZ Premiership Facebook page (outside NZ).