Commentator’s Call: the pressure is on to win

SKY Sport commentator Jenny Woods says the pressure is on to win, and where possible, win big in Round 8.

The only sure thing about the ANZ Premiership Finals Series at the moment, is that the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel will be there.Something catastrophic would have to happen for the competition leaders not to make the top three, although a softer underbelly than expected was exposed in Round 7.

The relationship between the next three sides is intriguing – the Te Wananga o Raukawa Pulse can’t beat the WBOP Magic, the Magic can’t beat the SKYCITY Mystics, and the Mystics can’t beat the Pulse.

Round 8 sees none of these teams play each other, but the pressure is on to win, and where possible win big.

The Magic has the toughest assignment of the round, playing the Steel in Rotorua on Sunday afternoon (Mother’s Day).

The last round provided insight into how the Steel run without Jhaniele Fowler-Reid.The Tactix looked for a moment or two as though they might pull off the upset of the season.It’s unlikely the Steel will try that again, with some a bit surprised at just how vulnerable they looked without the ever-reliable Jamaican.A side with four current and two former Silver Ferns might have been expected to barely miss a beat, and the Steel will be disappointed by that.

The Magic will be even more so with their showing against the Mystics on Wednesday night, although they did finish within five. Margaret Forsyth made full use of her bench, with Amorangi Malesala getting some court time at GA when Monica Falkner had to leave the court with a bloodied nose.They made a late charge in the final quarter, but as in Round 4, couldn’t catch the Aucklanders.The Magic lost to the Steel by 13 goals in their first encounter, and will at the least want to pick up a bonus point in Sunday’s clash.

The Pulse have the task of dealing with the resurgent Silvermoon Tactix.The Mainland side will be gutted they did so much in that Steel game, yet failed to secure anything to show for it, going down 61-55.Ellie Bird came on at GS at the start of the second quarter and made a huge difference to the Tactix’ scoring capacity.She shot 34/39 in her 45 minutes on court, and combined well with Brooke Leaver in a much more settled line-up.

That shooting circle can expect a torrid time in Christchurch on Monday night. The Pulse defence of Katrina Grant and Phoenix Karaka is the meanest of the competition, letting in fewer goals than any other combo.This is the most impressive Pulse line-up to date, with balance throughout the court.The Pulse will have to show the Tactix due respect after their efforts in Dunedin, but are likely to come away with the W.

Wednesday night sees action from ASB Kohimarama in Auckland for the return clash between the Northern Stars and the Mystics.Until the Stars midcourt comes to life, it’s hard to see things getting any easier for the South Auckland.Hard-won turnovers were squandered in their game against the Pulse last week and the Mystics, after that morale-boosting win over the Magic, won’t need a second invitation to grab another oh so important two points.

Picks for the round; wins for the Steel, Pulse and Mystics.