Intense defence sets up Steel win
STARTS do not get much better.
The newlook Southern Steel thrashed the Mainland Tactix 5436 in its ANZ Premiership season opener in Invercargill last night.
It was an impressive showing against a team many picked as this season's favourite.
The second quarter proved pivotal, the Steel going on an 82 run to open a 2214 lead.
It brought composure on attack and, more importantly, far more tenacity on defence than the Tactix.
Its defence swarmed, constantly disrupting the Tactix attack, which was without Te Paea SelbyRickit, and creating turnovers.
The home team looked after the ball on attack, the newlook midcourt of Shannon Saunders at wing attack, Kate Heffernan at centre and Renee Savai'inaea at wing defence flourishing.
Saunders, in particular, threaded some sublime passes into the circle.
Import George Fisher was superb in the shooting circle, making herself an easy target and finishing on 46/49 of her shots.
Steel coach Reinga Bloxham was happy with the way the whole team had played.
She agreed the defensive intensity had set the tone.
‘‘It's something we've been working on but we hadn't quite nailed,’’' she said.
‘‘It was good to see that defensive end combining well and able to turnover ball. Once the attack got it they were so patient with the ball they worked really hard to get it to the other end.’’
She added the secondquarter run had been key in giving the side its belief.
‘‘In the moment we were just so focused on what our job was once we got the ball we didn't celebrate the fact we'd gone on that roll.
‘‘But once we realised we got a few goals up it did give us that belief that we're OK here. If we just keep grinding away we're going to be good.’’
The Steel brought intensity from the start and that allowed it to get an early lead.
A Taneisha Fifita tip gave the Steel its first chance to take the lead.
It did just that and then when the Tactix threw the ball over the baseline the Steel was able to make it 63.
However, the Tactix defence pulled back to 1111 at the break.
At that point the Steel exerted its dominance.
A Kate Heffernan intercept and a Fifita deflection sparked a run in which the Steel jumped out to lead 2114.
Its attack end was clinical with that ball, while the Tactix attack began to look frantic.
The Tactix stemmed the flow, but it was the Steel that took a 2519 lead to halftime.
But the Steel hit back again early in the third quarter, extending the lead to 3020.
Again the Tactix looked to hit back, but the Steel ensured it did not get close.
The home side clinically finished the game in the final quarter, Fisher's reliable presence allowing the Steel to pull away.
In the curtain raiser, the Southern Blast was beaten 6838 by the Northern Comets in their opening National Netball league match.
Meanwhile, in Palmerston North the Northern Stars beat the Central Pulse 5753 in the ANZ Premiership opening game.
COLLEGE A made a strong start to its premier A title defence, beating University Albion A 6240 at the Edgar Centre on Saturday.
College created a lead early in the opening quarter and built on it throughout the game.
Both teams made errors as they settled into their work, but it was College that was able to better capitalise on turnover ball.
It made the most of a few loose passes by Uni Albion and was able to get the ball down court and into its shooters quickly.
College goal shoot Samantha Garrick and goal attack Ivy McLean had a good connection and created space for each other.
Despite the eightgoal difference, Uni Albion continued to work hard to create turnovers.
In the circle, goal shoot Ana Affleck and goal attack Bridget Thayer were confident and accurate under the hoop.
However, College was too strong and headed into the halftime break with a 15goal lead.
Despite that, it looked like the momentum started to swing in favour of Uni Albion when it scored five unanswered goals at the start of the second half.
Its defensive end nabbed rebounds and turnover ball, while the attackers connected well with Affleck, who handled the tough pressure applied by College defenders.
College scored just two goals in the first six minutes of the third stanza.
College fought back, scored five unanswered goals of its own and extended its lead out to 17 points by the end of the third quarter.
McLean, who had moved back to goal shoot in the third quarter, was a strong target for her shooters despite tight defence.
She was able to receive the ball on the baseline, in the air, or by holding space.
Wing attack Mia Allison did well to shake off her defenders when receiving the centre pass.
Both teams went on a runs but by this stage, College had the game in the bag and won by 22 goals.
The other premier A games also resulted in wins by big margins.
Southern Magpies beat South Pacific Titans A 6342, Phys Ed A defeated Phys Ed C 6749, and Phys Ed B downed St Hilda’s Collegiate School senior A 6445.
There will be no games this weekend, due to Anzac Day. Games will resume on May 1.