Commentator’s Call: Round 4
SKY Sport commentator Jenny Woods predicts an Easter Sunday cracker (complete with chocolate eggs) when the SKYCITY Mystics host the WBOP Magic.
True colours are starting to be shown as we move into Round 4 of the ANZ Premiership.
The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel appear at this stage to be in a class of their own, the Magic, Mystics and Te Wananga o Raukawa Pulse are playing good Netball, the Northern Stars are capable of it at times, while the Silvermoon Tactix unfortunately look likely to face another tough year.
A blistering third quarter which the Steel won 22-15, put the skids under the Magic in Round 3, helping the southerners run out to a 72-59 win in Invercargill. Reinga Bloxham’s side has racked up more than 70 goals in each of their three outings and they have come against some of the country’s best defensive players.
Easter Sunday afternoon’s game at Waitakere promises to be the pick of this next round. The Mystics finally have a win after taking the spoils in the first Battle of Auckland, with a 58-44 win over the Stars. Co-captains Maria Tutaia and Anna Harrison were both superb at either end of the court, leading by example. The Magic have now tasted defeat, and will not want a repeat dose. The inexperience of some of their young players was exposed against the Steel last week, and this could happen again against the Mystics. Match-ups galore in this one – particularly good will be Casey Kopua versus Tutaia, and Kelly Jury on Bailey Mes.
Monday night’s action comes from the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau when the Pulse are in town to play the Stars.The Pulse will be fresh from their 48-37 win over the Tactix. Interestingly the Stars had the very same score over the Mainland side, so read in to that what you will. It’s difficult to get a good steer on exactly how good, or otherwise this Stars side is. At times, they look ordinary, but there are signs of what they’re capable of. A horror start against the Mystics when at one stage they didn’t score for around six minutes, cost them dearly. The Pulse will punish any kind of repeat of that sort of performance. They, like the Mystics, are showing signs of being the real deal this year. Katrina Grant is in fine form and another player catching the eye is Claire Kersten enjoying being part of a cohesive defensive unit. England international Sara Bayman is looking at home in the midcourt and appears to be enjoying her New Zealand Netball experience.
But spare a thought for the Tactix … it’s their turn to face the Steel this week. It’s difficult to see the Tactix being able to put the brakes on the Fowler-Reid- fuelled scoring machine, even with Temalisi Fakahokotau back in action. Of course the Tactix’ real problem is at the other end of the court. They could muster just 37 goals against the Stars and Pulse respectively in Rounds 2 and 3. Wednesday night at Horncastle Arena would be a good time for their shooting circle to regain some confidence and net more goals.
In summation … Mystics to upset the Magic at The Trusts Arena, the Pulse will be too strong for the Stars, and the Steel to continue to inflict misery, this time on the Tactix.
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).