Pulse pip Mystics on Super Sunday
Super Sunday saved the best for last.
After two blowouts in the first two games of the ANZ Premiership’s season-opening tripleheader, the Northern Mystics and Central Pulse produced a nailbiter at Claudelands Arena in Hamilton, with the Wellington team emerging the winner.
Neither team may have hit the heights the Southern Steel or Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic did in their emphatic wins, but they made up for that and then some by producing a contest where the winner knew they had definitely worked hard.
That was the Pulse as it turned out, but only just, 56-55. It was a game that was for the most part a defensive contest with plenty of niggle, and where the respective shooters were largely on target when able to have a crack.
For the Mystics, Maria Tutaia shot 31 from 37 and Bailey Mes 24 from 27, while for the Pulse, Cathrine Tuivaiti brought plenty of fight against her old team.
Tuivaiti shot 30 from 31, and for large stretches she was paired with 16-year-old Tiana Metuarau, the daughter of former Silver Ferns coach Wai Taumaunu, who shot 84 per cent and had a clutch rebound and goal down the stretch.
In the end, it was the Pulse who were more patient, opening a fivegoal lead with three minutes to play that proved enough, even as the Mystics came storming back to only lose by one and secure a bonus point.
Earlier on Sunday, the Magic made sure the home fans didn’t leave disappointed, beating the Mainland Tactix 71-48 in the second game of the day.
Through the first two quarters, they were in front because they made their shots, led by a strong showing from South African international Lenize Potgieter, who finished with 54 goals from 58 attempts, not missing one until the 12th minute of the third quarter.
At halftime, the Magic were shooting 94 per cent to the Tactix’s 71, which meant they had a sixgoal lead despite two fewer attempts. But in the second half, they saw more of the ball as well, with Grace Rasmussen’s move to goal attack in place of Monica Falkner helping to grease the wheels, and so they ran up the margin, overpowering the Tactix’s second-string defence.
In the first game, the Steel showed exactly why they’re considered the favourites to take out the title, beating the new Stars team 75-57.
The Stars opened up a small lead early, but the Steel came roaring back with four goals in the final minute of the first quarter to take a lead which they never relinquished, their experience and continuity from last year proving too much for their opponents, with Jamaican shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid on fire in the circle, netting 52 goals from 54 attempts.
Both coaches made use of the unlimited substitutions to try out several combinations, especially as the result became a certainty down the stretch, with the Steel extending their lead to nine, 35-26 at halftime, and 10, 51-41, at the end of the third quarter.
The premiership continues with the Magic hosting the Stars today in Hamilton. There are two more Super Sundays during the season, in Invercargill and Auckland.