Support of crowd critical in Steel win
IF things get tough on Sunday, Gina Crampton might find she has an extra source of inspiration.
The Southern Steel wing attack came up with two massive intercepts at key moments during Wednesday night’s elimination final win, to the great appreciation of the Invercargill crowd.
Her thirdquarter one was timely in every sense, halting the Mainland Tactix through a period when the Steel was struggling to stop the visiting side scoring.
The roar of the crowd was as loud as it ever got in that moment and it proved a catalyst.
It helped the team back to an even game after trailing by five, before another key intercept helped it on a key run early in the fourth quarter.
Both ultimately proved crucial in the 5349 win and it would not be a surprise if there were a few lost voices from those watching on.
‘‘It’s so amazing,’’ Crampton said. ‘‘It’s so awesome to know it’s for you. It’s not for them and that definitely helped us get across the line.’’
The Steel will not have the benefit of that crowd when it plays the Central Pulse in Sunday’s final in Palmerston North. Indeed, it had given no thought to the Pulse at all before the elimination final.
It has just four days between games, although that could be a blessing.
Crampton said after the long wait for Wednesday’s game, it was good to keep going.
The adrenaline was certainly flowing on Wednesday and it would be important to draw from that again on Sunday.
‘‘I think we’ll have to.
‘‘We’re really going to need it going to their home and with such a short turnaround.
‘‘So we’ll remember Wednesday night and just bring it for Sunday.’’
As for the intercepts themselves, Crampton had little explanation.
‘‘Yeah, I don’t know,’’ she said with a laugh.
‘‘Everyone’s screaming at us to get on defence, so maybe we’re finally doing something to help them out.’’
The side had a recovery session and light training yesterday, before the Dunedinbased players returned home. The side will have another run around today and fly out tomorrow.