Wins for Pulse, Steel and Stars on Day 1
The ANZ Premiership Pre-Season Tournament got underway at Te Wānanga o Raukawa campus in Otaki this afternoon.
The opening day highlighted with wins to the Central Pulse, Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel and Northern Stars.
Central Pulse 53 def SKYCITY Mystics 40
PUL | Q1 16 – Q2 29 (13) – 44 (15) – Q4 53 (11)
MYS | Q1 10 – Q2 21 (11) – 27 (6) – Q4 40 (13)
Crowd favourites, the Central Pulse got their pre-season tournament underway with a dominant win over the SKYCITY Mystics, 53-40.
Both teams took the opportunity to trial different combinations, however it was the Pulse who looked slick from start to finish.
Tiana Metuarau, against an all-Silver Ferns defensive pairing of Storm Purvis and Anna Harrison, held her own in the opening stanzas. The Mystics threw a number of different challengers her way, however it didn’t halt her momentum, finishing the leading shooter on court, netting 32 goals at 84%.
The move of Katrina Grant to GK in the second half for the Pulse reaped rewards with Grant at her menacing best.
PULSE SHOOTING:
Metuarau: 32/38 @ 84%
Amaru-Tibble: 21/27 @ 78%
MYSTICS SHOOTING:
Amani: 20/24 @ 83%
Mes: 12/16 @ 75%
Upu-Toparea: 8/11 @ 73%
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel 74 def WBOP Magic 64
STE | Q1 20 – Q2 38 (18) – 57 (19) – 74 (17)
MAG | Q1 13 – Q2 30 (17) – 47 (17) – 64 (17)
The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel got a win on the board against the WBOP Magic in a high-scoring encounter.
The match-up of Jhaniele Fowler-Reid and Kelly Jury was one to watch. Fowler-Reid a constant threat for three quarters before being replaced by O’Connell in the fourth.
Sporting a new shooting combination with South African import Lenize Potgieter and NZU21 squad member Monica Falkner, the Magic showed glimpses of brilliance as their attack line settled into the game.
Travelling with the Magic this weekend, Ariana Cable-Dixon showcased her class with some deft touches and scintillating speed.
STEEL SHOOTING:
Fowler-Reid: 38/40 @ 95%
Selby-Rickit: 20/26 @ 77%
Hume: 7/8 @ 85%
O’Connell: 9/12 @ 75%
MAGIC SHOOTING:
Potgieter: 42/44 @ 95%
Falkner: 19/25 @ 76%
Rasmussen: 3/4 @ 75%
Northern Stars Mainland Tactix
STA | Q1 10 – Q2 21 (11) – Q3 36 (15) – Q4 51 (15)
TAC | Q1 9 – Q2 21 (12) – Q3 32 (11) – Q4 49 (17)
The final match of the day was a cracker with the Northern Stars prevailing over the Mainland Tactix, 51-49.
The high speed encounter saw both teams drive the ball through court with purpose, as the flair and creativity of both shone brightly.
The Tactix dug deep with a late surge in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough to take the win.
Both shooting imports had solid outings – Kadeen Corbin for the Tactix and Afa Rusivakula for the Stars; two players fans should watch with interest once the season proper gets underway.
STARS SHOOTING:
Vaka: 30/34 @ 88%
Wilson: 7/10 @ 70%
Rusivakula: 14/18 @ 78%
TACTIX SHOOTING:
Leaver: 18/21 @ 86%
Corbin: 27/34 @ 79%
Thompson: 4/4 @ 100%
SCHEDULE – DAY 2:
12pm - Steel v Pulse
2pm - Magic v Stars
5pm - Mystics v Tactix
7pm - Pulse v Magic