Champions show steely intent
Brendon Egan
Write off the Southern Steel at your peril.
Last year’s inaugural ANZ Premiership champions delivered an ominous statement in the season-opening Super Sunday round in Palmerston North, thumping the Northern Mystics 55-47.
Any questions about the Steel’s effectiveness in 2018, having lost star Jamaican shooter Jhaniele Fowler and leading defender Jane Watson over the off-season, were quickly banished.
The Central Pulse, last season’s runner-up, made a perfect start, overcoming the injury-ravaged WaikatoBay of Plenty Magic 45-33. Extra time was needed for the final game of the day with the Mainland Tactix edging the Northern Stars 61-60.
Missing South African import Lenize Potgieter, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury that kept her out of the Commonwealth Games, the Magic battled in the shooting circle, converting just 72 per cent of their attempts.
Sparked by Silver Ferns skipper Katrina Grant, the Pulse defensive end caused frequent problems for the Magic, who were restricted to a meagre 33 goals.
The Magic were unable to build any rhythm on attack due to the swarming Pulse defence, turning the ball over 28 times. They were never able to score more than 10 goals in any quarter.
In the first match, rising shooting talent Jennifer O’Connell led the way for the Steel against the Mystics. She landed 20 of 23 in a composed first half performance, before she was replaced at halftime.
Te Paea Selby-Rickit shrugged off her patchy play at the Commonwealth Games, slotting 35 of 46 for the Steel, while also hauling in three rebounds.
In the final game, the Tactix came from five goals down (51-46) with eight minutes left to tie the match at the end of regulation. The Tactix won extra time, consisting of two three-minute periods, 6-5.
Tactix skipper Jess Maclennan produced the crucial play in the dying seconds of extra time, gobbling up a loose pass from Stars’ shooter Maia Wilson as she tried to flick the ball to Paula Griffin.
Ellie Bird’s 1.96m height proved an asset for the Tactix after coming on at halftime. She landed 30 of 38.
The Stars seemed to be in control early in the final quarter, but let the Tactix back into the contest with some missed shots and careless mistakes.