Defence the key on Day 2
Day 2 of the ANZ Premiership Pre-Season Tournament was highlighted with some outstanding defensive efforts from teams.
The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel, WBOP Magic, Mainland Tactix and Central Pulse all recording wins.
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel 53 def Central Pulse 48
PUL | Q1 13 – Q2 25 (12) – Q3 37 (12) – Q4 48 (11)
STE | Q1 8 – Q2 20 (12) – Q3 38 (18) – Q4 53 (15)
A second half fightback has seen the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel take victory over the Central Pulse,
The Pulse dominated the first half; a strong defensive effort by Grant and Karaka coupled with creativity in attack saw them take a five goal lead into half-time.
The Steel came out firing after the main break, a run of goals seeing them draw level. Wholesale changes by the Pulse late in the quarter did little to halt their momentum as they took a one-goal lead into the final break.
With both teams taking the opportunity to run different combinations, it was the Steel and their reliable attack line of Francois, Crampton, Selby-Rickit and Fowler-Reid that made the difference.
STEEL SHOOTING:
Hume: 3/12 @ 25%
Selby-Rickit: 19/24 @ 79%
Fowler-Reid: 31/35 @ 89%
PULSE SHOOTING:
Metuarau: 26/30 @ 87%
Amaru-Tibble: 21/24 @ 88%
Reuelu-Buchanan: 1/2 @ 50%
WBOP Magic 53 def Northern Stars 51
STA | Q1 9 – Q2 22 (13) – Q3 35 (13) – Q4 51 (16)
MAG | Q1 19 – Q2 32 (13) – Q3 41 (9) – Q4 53 (12)
The WBOP Magic survived a scare, holding on to defeat the Northern Stars 53-51 this afternoon.
In an action-packed match, the Magic led at every break, but a resurgent Stars nearly stole the win in the dying minutes.
For the Magic, Potgieter and Falkner were on song – their movement in the circle and understanding improving with every outing.
The Stars can take heart from the match, having trailed for much of it, including 10 goals at half-time. Their ability to stay calm and chip away at the deficit, thanks in part to the calm heads of de Bruin, Tairi and Fitzpatrick.
MAGIC SHOOTING:
Potgieter: 23/26 @ 88%
Falkner: 25/30 @ 83%
Rasmussen: 5/6 @ 83%
STARS SHOOTING:
Vaka: 18/23 @ 78%
Rusivakula: 12/16 @ 75%
Wilson: 21/25 @ 84%
Mainland Tactix 60 def SKYCITY Mystics 51
MYS | Q1 6 – Q2 22 (16) – Q3 36 (14) – Q4 51 (15)
TAC | Q1 17 – Q2 30 (13) – Q3 46 (16) – Q4 60 (14)
The Mainland Tactix led from start to finish to clinically dismantle the SKYCITY Mystics, 60-51.
The Tactix jumped out of the blocks, netting four goals before the Mystics even looked like troubling the scoreboard. The experience of Anna Thompson and her ability to set-up the play on show.
A second quarter resurgence led by Bailey Mes saw the Mystics outscore the Tactix, however they were never able to make enough inroads to trouble the Tactix.
The aerial ability of Temalisi Fakahokatau, coupled with the defensive pressure of Zoe Walker reaped rewards for the Tactix, running out winners by nine goals.
TACTIX SHOOTING:
Leaver: 29/37 @ 78%
Thompson: 15/18 @ 83%
Corbin: 16/18 @ 89%
MYSTICS SHOOTING:
Amani: 9/11 @ 82%
Mes: 26/28 @ 93%
Upu-Toparea: 16/22 @ 73%
Central Pulse 45 def WBOP Magic 30
PUL | Q1 11 – Q2 23 (12) – Q3 35 (12) – Q4 45 (10)
MAG | Q1 8 – Q2 17 (9) – Q3 23 (6) – Q4 30 (7)
(40 minute game, 4x10min quarters)
A strong, full court defensive effort from the Central Pulse saw them take the win against the WBOP Magic, 45-30.
Playing a shortened game – 4x10 minute quarters - both teams were pulling out the stops defensively with Grant, Karaka and Burger at one end, and Kopua, Jury and MacLeod-Smith at the other.
Tuivaiti, who has been managing a minor calf tweak, made a brief appearance in the first quarter much to the delight of the home crowd.
Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie kept rotating her players, trialling different combinations, but they never missed a beat taking a 15-goal win.
PULSE SHOOTING:
Metuarau: 18/22 @ 82%
Amaru-Tibble: 18/24 @ 75%
Tuivaiti: 9/10 @ 90%
MAGIC SHOOTING:
Potgieter: 17/18 @ 94%
Falkner: 11/15 @ 73%
Rasmussen: 2/3 @ 67%
Day 3 Schedule:
10am: Steel v Mystics
12pm: Magic v Tactix
2pm: Pulse v Stars