Steel heading in right direction as search for victory continues
The Southern Steel can take away more positives from their most recent clash in the ANZ Premiership against the Central Pulse.
Despite falling to a 54-46 defeat in Wellington, the Steel showed they aren’t going to be easy beats in 2024.
The Southerners led for the opening half of the clash and put the more fancied Pulse line-up under a ton of pressure.
It was an impressive start by the Steel, as the strong interplay between Georgia Heffernan and Grace Namana helped the visitors go on a four-goal run to lead by three early on.
Opening up space on attack, the experience of Shannon Saunders and Kate Heffernan helped thread the ball in past the hands of defenders Kelly Jackson and Parris Mason.
In contrast, the Pulse looked for the quick feed into Amelia Walmsley with the height advantage over Taneisha Fifita.
But errors crept into the home side’s attack as the Steel maintained their defensive pressure and the 14-11 scoreline in their favour at the break marked the first quarter the southerners have won this season.
Play resumed with a shuffle in the Pulse shooting circle with Walmsley moving out to goal attack and Khiarna Williams picking up the shooter bib. It made an immediate impact for the hosts, but the Pulse continued to struggle to shut down the play of Namana and Georgia Heffernan.
A footwork call on Namana gave the Pulse the opportunity to close the gap to just one goal mid-way through the spell.
The patience and deception of Saunders’ feed into the attacking circle continued to confuse the Pulse’s defensive efforts, however, as the southerners clung to a 27-25 lead at halftime.
They continued that lead into the third quarter and were up 32-30, before constant pressure on defence by the Pulse forced the Steel into making uncharacteristic errors.
Jackson’s long reach in goal meant it was difficult at times for the Steel shooters.
Once the Pulse got the lead they never gave it up, but a bonus for the Steel was Saunders getting through three-quarters and Kate Heffernan a full game as both were overcoming injuries from the pre-season.
Namana and Heffernan’s combination under the hoop continues to improve, while Abby Lawson is providing plenty of spark off the bench.
Next up for the Steel is a clash at home this Saturday against the Northern Stars, and although it’s 21 straight losses, there’s a feeling that a win is not far away going on the previous two performances.