Fans treated to action-packed weekend in Otaki

The ANZ Premiership’s best have won a legion of fans after three days of action at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Otaki.

The Pre-Season Tournament, hosted by the Central Pulse, delivered plenty of excitement while the crowd was entertained as some of the country’s best and up-and-coming talent took to the court.

The team’s will now turn their attention to the season opener on March 26 – a blockbuster Super Sunday at Hamilton’s Claudelands Arena, featuring all six teams in action – GET TICKETS.

Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel 70 def SKYCITY Mystics 49

STE | Q1 14 – Q2 29 (15) – Q3 52 (23) – Q4 70 (18)

MYS | Q1 13 – Q2 23 (10) – Q4 35 (12) – Q4 49 (14)

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel have defeated the SKYCITY Mystics 70-49.

Abby Erwood was a standout in defence for the Steel – whether she was in the circle or on the wing – her ability to snuff out an intercept and drive the ball through court a highlight.

The Mystics fought gallantly until the end; Renee Matoe and Eseta Autagavaia standing tall against immense pressure to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

STEEL SHOOTING

Fowler-Reid: 39/44 @ 89%

Selby-Rickit: 20/26 @ 77%

Hume: 11/11 @ 100%

MYSTICS SHOOTING

Autagavaia: 26/33 @ 79%

Matoe: 23/29 @ 79%

WBOP Magic 60 def Mainland Tactix 54

MAG | Q1 15 – Q2 31 (16) – Q3 46 (15) – Q4 60 (14)

TAC | Q1 16 – Q2 25 (9) – Q3 39 (14) – Q4 54 (15)

After a tight tussle, it was the WBOP Magic who took the win against the Mainland Tactix, 60-54.

A late surge by the Tactix got them within striking distance, but they weren’t able to take the lead.

Sinclair and Kopua were stand-outs for the Magic, driving their team into attack and setting up the play. Potgieter was again a strong target under the post and netted 45 goals.

For the Tactix, the rotating shooting circle with Corbin, Thompson and Leaver continued to improve with Pedersen and Saunders key drivers through the midcourt.

MAGIC SHOOTING:

Potgieter: 45/51 @ 88%

Falkner: 13/17 @ 76%

Leslie: 2/5 @ 40%

TACTIX SHOOTING:

Leaver: 15/20 @ 75%

Corbin: 31/39 @ 79%

Thompson: 8/12 @ 67%

Central Pulse 45 def Northern Stars 44

PUL | Q1 10 – Q2 23 (13) – Q3 36 (13) – Q4 45 (9)

STA | Q1 15 – Q2 23 (8) – Q3 32 (9) – Q4 44 (12)

In the game of the weekend, the Central Pulse held on to defeat a fast finishing Northern Stars 45-44.

The Stars jumped out of the blocks, Wilson and Vaka providing strong targets in the circle, which Tairi controlled the circle edge.

Trailing by six goals in the second quarter, the Pulse fought their way back into the match to draw level on the half-time whistle, sending the vocal home crowd into a spin.

On the resumption it was the Pulse who took control, the defensive efforts of Karaka and Grant tying down the Stars attack end, to take a four goal lead into the final quarter.

With the clock winding down and the game in the balance, the Stars made a surge but it was the Pulse that hung on to win by a single goal.

PULSE SHOOTING:

Tuivaiti: 3/4 @ 75%

Metuarau: 22/27 @ 81%

Amaru-Tibble: 20/26 @ 77%

STARS SHOOTING:

Vaka: 24/29 @ 83%

Rusivakula: 6/10 @ 60%

Wilson: 14/15 @ 93%