Steel defence proves too strong for Pulse
The Southern Steel revived their national netball premiership finals hopes with a season-defining victory over the table-topping Central Pulse.
Led by a stellar team defensive effort, the Steel prevailed 51-47, continuing their unbeaten record at Invercargill’s Stadium Southland in this competition last night.
Victory snapped a twogame losing run for the Steel and leaves the defending champions second in a congested top half of the table.
It was just the second loss of the season for the top of the table Pulse, who see their championship lead cut to two points. They do have a game in hand over the Steel, however.
The Pulse thrashed the Steel 71-40 when they last met in Porirua on May 30, but this clash was a completely different story.
Having also lost 62-51 to the Pulse in the opening round of the season, victory will give Steel the self belief they can topple the title favourites, should they meet in a potential final.
A 4-1 start to the final quarter from the Pulse gave the Steel fans some heart flutters, trimming their lead to 44-43.
Leading 49-47 with two minutes to go, rookie defender Courtney Elliott pulled in a key intercept for the Steel, which they would score from.
Elliott and experienced defender Te Huinga Reo SelbyRickit were immense for the Steel, as was wing defence Wendy Frew. Selby-Rickit pulled in four intercepts and grabbed two rebounds.
The Steel limited Pulse shooter and Invercargill local Aliyah Dunn to just 22 goals, well down on her usual output.
Midway through the third quarter, the Steel pushed ahead, opening their advantage out to four goals (34-30). The Pulse never panic and within a few minutes, they were back in front at 36-35 with four to go in the third.
Spurred on by their parochial home crowd, the Steel were able to regain their composure and took a 43-39 buffer into the last quarter, courtesy of two goals in the dying seconds.
An 8-3 start to the second quarter, saw the Pulse jump out to a 18-15 buffer midway through the term.
Silver Fern shooter Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who has barely been used this season by the Pulse, was injected into the action late in the first half for Tiana Metuarau.
Ekenasio landed her first four attempts, including one early long bomb to boost her confidence.
The Steel finished the first half the stronger of the two sides, going on a 7-2 burst, to retain their one goal advantage (26-25). The southerners slotted the last three goals of the half to head into the main break in a positive frame of mind. It was defensive struggle in the first quarter with both sides shooting ends having to deal with plenty of physical contact.
The Pulse jumped out to a 7-4 lead inside the opening 10 minutes, but the Steel finished the term powerfully. A goal from Te Paea Selby-Rickit as time expired to end the first quarter saw them hold a 12-11 edge.