Coach ‘gobsmacked’ by team’s recovery
IT was a performance typical of this Southern Steel team — but this one left even its coach in disbelief.
Reinga Bloxham could hardly put into words her feeling after yesterday’s 5453 win in the ANZ Premiership over the Central Pulse in Palmerston North.
The side had trailed the whole way before Te Paea SelbyRickit put it ahead with 25 seconds to play.
That came after seven consecutive goals at the finish helped the Steel pull off an incredible comeback to defend its title.
‘‘I am gobsmacked — I can’t believe we just did that,’’ she said.
‘‘It was unbelievable, I didn’t realise we must have scored the last six goals and I couldn’t see the clock so I didn’t realise how long there was to go. ‘‘But I was like we can do this? ‘‘That momentum swung and we got ball.’’
Finding ways to win in tough situations has been a hallmark of this Steel team.
But never has it dug itself out of a hole quite this deep.
Despite that it kept the belief and Bloxham agreed it was a performance typical of the side.
‘‘Nothing flash, just do the grind, absorb that pressure and come through in the end.’’
The Steel trailed by 11 goals at one stage in the second quarter and Bloxham knew it was going to take a huge effort to get back in the game.
However, she knew the team had to be patient.
The side’s experienced players stepped up and a huge momentum swing helped the team on its way to victory.
It was the team’s second title in as many years, although for this one the Steel was the underdog.
There was also the Wendy Frew factor — the desire to see the captain finish a 16year career with backtoback championships.
Bloxham said the result was ‘‘just fantastic’’.
‘‘I’m really stoked we were able to do that for Wendy.
‘‘It wasn’t a main focus, but it was something we talked about walking off this court with a really good feeling.
‘‘That last quarter before we went on she said to them ‘we have to leave it all out there, put your bodies on the line’.
‘‘And that’s exactly what we did.
‘‘It was tough, but what a fairytale finish for her 16year career.’’