Steel stun Firebirds to continue their unbeaten run

The Southern Steel continued their unbeaten run, toppling the highflying Queensland Firebirds in Dunedin.

The Steel notched their ninth win of the trans-Tasman competition season against a Firebirds side depleted by injuries.

Steel coach Noeline Taurua was pleased with the 66-51 victory over the defending champions.

‘‘I think it was a hard-fought game, I think they were hit with injuries which meant that they had to change up their normal combinations,’’ she said.

‘‘But I thought that physically and mentally we took them on, we were very competitive and forced turnovers especially that first quarter we forced a lot of turnover ball from them.

‘‘Once we got our nose we were able to keep it.’’ in front AFTER eight years at the Mystics, five as head coach, Debbie Fuller felt it was the right time to go.

Fuller announced this week she would be stepping down at the end of the season, but with three matches remaining in the regular play she says her work is far from over.

Fuller took the Auckland-based team to their only grand final, in 2011, in her first season at the helm. Since then she has guided them to third, seventh and fourth. Depending on other results, the Mystics could still sneak into the finals with anywhere from one to three victories.

For the Firebirds, Jamaican international Romelda Aiken surprisingly replaced Laura Geitz at goal keep, creating an interesting match-up with Steel shooter

‘‘When you go into these roles you have to be completely immersed, and five years is a good innings to be able to make gains,’’ Fuller said. ‘‘With the timing of the new competition, I think it’s time for someone else to come in and lead the team.

‘‘I’ve loved every minute and, most of all, this playing group. But it’s time they are rejuvenated with a different leadership approach, and with a new domestic competition I know this group will grow the Mystics game style next year.

‘‘It’s great for the board to get their house in order. It’s this time of the season our players get approached by other franchises Jhaniele Fowler-Reid.

Chelsea Lemke and Gretel Tippett started in attack for the visitors, while Laura Clemesha played at goal defence replacing so the board needs to get someone in place so there’s real certainty. We’ve got to focus on our run home because there’s still an opportunity for the team to be successful – we’ve just got to click and we’re not far off.’’

Given their record of two wins from 10 games, and with a run the injured Clare McMeniman who was out with a calf injury.

The Steel led 4-2 lead after four minutes and never looked back to lead 14-8 at the break. home that features the Vixens (away), Swifts (home) and Tactix (home), they’ll need significant improvements to send off Fuller on a fitting note. It starts with their clash against Australia’s Vixens in Melbourne today.

‘‘It’s still not over yet,’’ coach Fuller said. ‘‘We’re still in the hunt. We’ve got as much of a chance as Tactix and Pulse to go through to the conference finals.

‘‘The door is wide open and it’s about who is battle-hardened enough at this time of the season to follow through and close out a full game. The fourth quarter has been our issue so if we can get that right we’ve got as much chance as anyone.’’

Te Huinga Selby-Rickit started the game brilliantly for the home side, adding some steel to the southern team’s defence with some key intercepts and deflections in a rare start this season.

The hosts varied their attack to nullify the impact of the 1.96m Aiken who kept her Jamaican team-mate Fowler-Reid on her toes throughout the opening two quarters of the match.

Steel goal attack Te Paea SelbyRickit became more involved with some impressive long-range shooting.

The Steel continued to dominate, claiming a 17-11 lead in the second quarter to stretch the score to 31-19 at halftime.

The Steel controlled the final quarter 19-14 to finish with an impressive 66-51 victory.

Fowler-Reid finished strongly in her 50th game to end with 51/57, while Te Paea Selby-Rickit produced an excellent performance with 15/17 along with 26 feeds into the circle.

For the Firebirds, Aiken scored 27/32 in two quarters in the attacking circle, along with seven rebounds and three deflections, while Tippett, Friday and Lemke also spent time on attack.

SCOTT DONALDSON LIAM NAPIER

48-38. 31-19,