Do the job or leave, Henry warns Pulse
Win against ‘ dangerous’ Mystics crucial to keep alive top- four hopes.
Central Pulse wing defence Joline Henry hasn’t been shy about dishing out advice this week.
With only three games left in the regular season, the fifth- placed Pulse are running out of time to clinch a spot in the trans- Tasman competition’s top four and a win against the Northern Mystics at Arena Manawatu on Sunday will help.
The Pulse beat the Canterbury Tactix 58- 50 on Sunday, but were far from convincing against the battling Christchurch team.
‘‘ I thought we were guilty last weekend of being lacklustre,’’ Henry said. ‘‘ Not because of a lack of effort or trying; people were not doing their jobs.’’
The Pulse have been inconsistent this year, showing signs of how good their Silver- Fern laden lineup actually could be, but have also been poor at times, including losing to the lowly Tactix in round four.
Henry said they are a capable side, but they have only been showing it in patches.
‘‘ It’s all about execution for us. We’ve got the kitty of talent. It’s about getting out there and executing for the full 60 minutes.’’
The 31- year- old Henry said if one person doesn’t do their job properly, it lets the whole team down, so she has let the appropriate people know what’s needed this week.
‘‘ A rocket here or there, especially if it hits its target. If it doesn’t then there’s a problem.’’
This weekend is a crucial match, but Henry said if you don’t want to play pressure netball, you might as well go home.
‘‘ It’s been important for us since a couple of weeks ago,’’ she said. ‘‘ We haven’t had the season that we’ve hoped for.
‘‘ It’s do or die. Every game is essentially our final or semifinal. We want to keep our hopes alive of getting into that top four and represent our region so we need to really put a foot down.’’
The Pulse beat the Mystics 53- 47 in round three, but doing the double against a team with Silver Ferns like Laura Langman, Maria Tutaia, Anna Harrison and Cat Latu would be hard.
‘‘ They’re still a team that’s riddled with talent,’’ Henry said. ‘‘ They’re a dangerous team and they can play some outstanding netball. It’s about making sure they don’t hit their straps.’’
The Pulse and Mystics met in Palmerston North two years when the Mystics won 51- 47, but Henry said both of them were different teams now.
A former Western Flyer, Henry hobbled off the court with an ankle injury in the win over the Tactix on Sunday, but would be right for this weekend.
‘‘ I wouldn’t miss to play at home.’’
an
opportunity
The game starts
Central
Pulse:
at 7.20pm.
Katrina Grant, Te Huinga Reo Selby- Rickit, Joline Henry, Camilla Lees, Elias Shadrock, Irene van Dyk, Donna Wilkins, Ama Agbeze, Katarina Cooper, Paula Griffin, Gemma Hazeldine, Claire Kersten, Liana Leota.
Maria Tutaia, Anna Harrison, Cat Latu, Kayla Cullen, Julie Corletto, Bailey Mes, Laura Langman, Erikana Pedersen, Jodi Tod- Elliott, Elisapeta Toeava, Nadia Loveday, Temalisi Fakahokotau.
Northern Mystics: