Papakura Courier

Northern Stars push finals-bound Pulse

- LIAM HYSLOP

The Northern Stars gave the Central Pulse the perfect test run before they head into the finals.

The 57-47 victory to the Pulse at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua on Wednesday night confirmed their place in the ANZ Premiershi­p finals. The Pulse are a better team and showed it for most of the match, with only a poor third quarter stopping them from putting the South Auckland-based Stars to the sword.

Their shooters were excellent, with Cathrine Tuivaiti (35/36) and Tiana Metuarau (22/27) barely missing a beat. While defenders Katrina Grant and Phoenix Karaka caused chaos in the Stars’ shooting circle. It was a sloppy opening quarter full of turnovers, a stat which the Stars won 10-6. Neither side really took advantage of those until the final two minutes when the Pulse turned two Stars errors in the shooting circle into goals down the other end to lead 15-10 at quarter time. Stars coach Julie Hornweg made the first of what would be many personnel changes to start the second quarter, but it did little to stem the Pulse’s progress. The Pulse defence was tight and most Stars attempts at a centre circle entry looked laboured at best. A pair of Stars turnovers helped extend the Pulse’s lead into double digits. A long-range effort from the imperious Tuivaiti saw the Pulse finish the half up 30-19. The Pulse started the third quarter like they’d had a nap at halftime. They were very loose with possession, allowing the Stars to score five of the first six goals. The Stars managed to get within five at one stage before the Pulse eventually rediscover­ed their rhythm to lead 42-35 heading into the final quarter. It was a concerning lapse from the Pulse and one they can ill afford come finals time against the better teams.

‘‘The Stars came out in the second half and played some good netball and we probably weren’t clinical enough, didn’t get enough ball on D, but at the moment we’re just going to be happy with that win and be happy with what we’ve done and achieved for this franchise and then assess what we need to assess to contend for a title,’’ Grant said. A more clinical Pulse team arrived in time for the fourth quarter to close out the win. AT A GLANCE Central Pulse 57 (Cathrine Tuivaiti 35/36; Tiana Metuarau 22/27) Northern Stars 47 (Maia Wilson 20/22; Malia Vaka 12/16; Afa Rusivakula 15/23). Q1: 15-10; HT: 30-19; Q3: 42-35.

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