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ANZ Premiership: Central Pulse go straight into the Grand Final alongside the Minor Cup after a 14-goal win over the Mainland Tactix 

by Sports Benches

The regular phase of the 2024 ANZ Premiership Netball season is now over after 15 weeks across 45 games as we turn our attention to the last two Playoff games that will set up a brilliant finish for the Grand Final where there can only be one winner to take home the major championship come Sunday 4th August.

This last regular-season match belongs to the Pulse fair and square where they’ve started so well off the back of an unbeaten first-half run that puts them into a decent lead up front by nine goal at half-time, 31-22. Yes, the Tactix did win the 3rd quarter alone, having began to play catch-up as the game isn’t over yet with a six-point trail (42-36) going into the final quarter. 

But then that comeback was short lived off the back of the Tactix’s poor attacking play and tactics as Pulse went on to extend their lead as further as they can towards the end with a 14-goal win, 58-44. Not only the Pulse won the minor premiership, they too now go straight into the Grand Final with a two-week rest.  For now, it’s all eyes in the Elimination Final this weekend — it’s either going to be the Tactix again who had to finish 2nd on the ladder or defending champions Northern Mystics after they safeguarded 3rd over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic thanks to their final round win v Stars.

Tiana Meruarau has been unbelievable that kept the Pulse ticking tonight at goal attack as her side is now going straight into the grand final with the minor premiership. She’s blessed with the strong defense led by skipper Kelly Jackson off the back of the Tactix’s poor conversion play where Tiana knows where to find her shooter while she can shoot from a far whenever it’s convenient in order to get the job done into the net. She had 10 centre pass receives, 30 feeds, 6 goals and 21 goal assists that reflected her huge impact for the Pulse. The job is not done yet where a huge final win would give her the chance to translate her game for the Silver Ferns soon enough later this year. 

Gotta say Maddy Gordon kept the game going for the Pulse in the middle even though she didn’t start the game due to her recent return from injury, especially when her side got away unscathed towards the end with the win. She never stops running around that gave attackers the chance to get as many goals as she can every time Jackson and co. stopped the Tactix in its tracks. Out of the 43 minutes she played tonight, she had 12 goal assists & 21 feeds – which was good work being paid off. Yes, heard she came off sore; but surely that won’t affect her too much since she’s on managed minutes with a two-week rest time before the Final.

And Jane Watson did the best she can to stop the Pulse from scoring who stood her ground as always defensively behind the goal posts for the Tactix. She isn’t afraid to steal the ball from up high with a couple of intercepts/turnover being recorded that gave her team the chance to get things done at the other end including that improved 3rd quarter after half-time. It’s just a shame really that the Tactix’s attacking play is not good tonight where they were so far behind for the most part as getting Ellie Bird on until the last few minutes really cost them before it was even over. Tactix do have a 2nd chance though but need to win v Northern Mystics first in the Elimination Final this Saturday.

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2024 ANZ Premiership R14/15: Northern Stars hold off the Southern Steel after a successful late tussle with the one goal win

by Sports Benches

It’s been oh so close between the 5th v 6th/bottom two teams in the Northern Stars & Southern Steel to finish off Round 14 of the 2024 ANZ Premiership Season in Dunedin with one last regular season round remaining this weekend. Steel always off to a great start but it was the Stars who held them up throughout the first half where they were one goal up at half-time, 27-28.

Although Steel again rebounded as if the start repeated itself with some really good improvements that gave them a two-goal advantage at three quarter time (41-39), but just couldn’t hold on a bit longer towards the end there unfortunately. At the end of the day, it was Stars with the win once again by just a solitary goal to close the second last round of the 2024 season, 53-54.

First of all, skipper Maia Wilson had an amazing night as the main Northern Stars shooter. She netted a near perfect accuracy towards goal of 97%, having missed only one shot out of 39 attempts throughout the night v Steel. Yes, Stars may be low on possession but gotta credit her team’s defense on exposing the Steel’s isolated attack before Maia was able to get the job done with the net right in front of her off the back of a brilliant counter-attack feed through the channels. It led to a good few points lead at the half-time break followed by an excellent end with the win as although things may not be the same this year when it comes to the Top 3 down in 5th, but Maia is always going places including at International level for the Silver Ferns.

Here’s another standout Stars player this time in the back three tonight in Kate Burley at goal keeper who is flexible amongst multiple defensive roles along with her excellent physicality and athleticism to deflect one away from the net at her own danger zone. She had really great start actually that made the Steel front three so hesitant under pressure before Kate was able to throw onto the other side where goals coming her way for the most part including that crucial final few minutes with three rebounds of her own including three intercepts for the best of the Stars. When she came off, the Steel were a couple of goals ahead where the Stars began to slip away at one stage. However, glad she saved the day when she can back on to help steer victory once again for the Stars with unfinished business ahead in the hope of returning to its former glory in 2025.

Now it might not have taken that long to settle in for Serina Daunakamakama in the south when she was at the Northern Mystics as a training partner earlier this season but she had another great game though that reflects her progress within the senior level at Wing Attack. She picked up as many balls as possible with the most feeds of 36 in order to find her front two thanks to her team’s good start on top of a good defense as usual alongside skipper Kate Heffernan in the mid-court. That way, Georgia Heffernan and Grace Namama can help finish things off within the circle where the Steel were so close of winning this one again off the back of an improved 3rd quarter. But then the Stars’s scrambled defense proved so difficult for them in the end where mistakes were being made made under pressure before the Stars stole the show even if it’s by a small margin, particularly in the last few mins on what has been another difficult year to end up 6th & last once again for the Steel. 

And lastly, wishing Reigna Bloxam all the best ahead of her last game as the Steel head coach this weekend v the Magic after giving back for so long before she heads off overseas while a new era awaits in the hope the Steel can rejuvenate next season.

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ANZ Premiership: Central Pulse capped off an amazing finish to Round 13 with the five goal win over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic with two key players back tonight from injury

by Sports Benches

So there we have it, the Central Pulse have stole the show that was supposed to be the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic at Globox Arena in Hamilton by five goals, 48-53. It was a Magic first half who controlled the court very nicely despite some good moments from the Pulse off the back of an excellent start to the match where Pulse were four goals behind at half-time, 26-22. Now the 3rd quarter might still be under the Magic for a bit longer but a series of changes off the bench from the Pulse forced their hand with the win including two key players back from injury, such as Amelia Warmsley & Maddy Gordon. Not only that, the Pulse regained top spot ahead of the Mainland Tactix yet again on the ANZ Premiership ladder while Magic need to show something special now if they wish to play Finals netball this year as we go into Round 14 of 15 this weekend.

Whitney Souness has been working so hard throughout the full hour that got away with the Pulse win in Hamilton at wing attack. She’s got the athleticism and mobility to manufacture her team’s impressive start where goals were made there off her passing supply despite being a bit behind for the most part. However, gotta say the 2nd half got the best out of her game thanks to a few returning players off the bench from the treatment room including reserve goal shooter Amelia Warmsley while turning the tide from the Magic’s series of late errors. She knows what it takes to be at her best in a winning side and tonight was another of these matches Whitney took part in the starting 7 in the hope of holding off 1st with two rounds to go and then some extra preparation if possible would do it to sweep home towards the Grand Final and go all in for the win.

Then we’ve got another Pulse standout star this time in the back three in none other than goal defender Parris Mason, who as said kept the Magic attack quiet, particularly when she & her side were able to turn things around big time throughout the 2nd half. Every time the Magic felt hesitant or isolated, Parris read really well before she applied with excellent physical and multi-sport skills to keep that ball play going alongside her towering team-mate Kelly Jackson – which was job well done where goals and the eventual lead towards the finish line went her way. She’s doing the best she can now to finish off the regular season on a high as the No.1 ranked team by proving to the Tall Ferns (women’s b’ball) that Parris is indeed looking to win from somewhere that isn’t the Olympics after being left out a few months ago but with the ANZ Premiership crown.

And Magic goal shooter Saviour Tui did the best she can to put her team on the map where her side just couldn’t stay up front as the clock ticks down at goal shooter. As said, the Magic led the way for the most part thanks to a functioning back three defense of their own alongside a hard-working Claire O’Brien present to give Tui the shooting stuff she needs to get into the net. But what really lets her down is Magic benching her off the court later on while witnessing a series of mistakes that slipped away to the hands of the Pulse towards the end. It didn’t work unfortunately without Tui’s fun-loving goal scoring opportunities to finish off inside the circle. With two rounds to go, Tui needs her team’s support to wrestle back that 3rd and final spot for the elimination final & hope that Northern Mystics lose the last two games v Pulse & Northern Stars.

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ANZ Premiership: Central Pulse too good to pull off the way with a 27-goal win (38-65) after a close first 15 mins v Southern Steel

by Sports Benches

As we all know, the Southern Steel had a great start with by going through the basics – which reflected the team’s great start. However, it was the same old, same old unfortunately if you look at the state of this side where the Steel were way off the pace for the majority including against the ladder leaders (once again) in the Central Pulse tonight. Pulse were leading big time going into the half-time break by eight goals 17-25 before they doubled then tripled their lead throughout the 2nd half unchallenged with the win by an easy 27 goal contest v Steel at ITL Stadium in Southland, Invercargill 38-65. Three regular rounds to go before Finals time with Steel v Mystics in Auckland this Sunday & Pulse back next Monday v Magic (away again).

The spotlight player of the night starts with none of than Aussie raised but Kiwi-born Martina Salmon at the front of the Pulse attack as goal shooter. She’s blessed with the Southern Steel’s toothless attack & her side’s solid defensive efforts at the other end, having successfully shot 85% of the goals right in front of the net. As said, sure she’s well travelled along with a towering build who spent some time training at other teams in the past such as Sunshine Coast Lightning & the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. But again, she’s got unfinished business when she was thrown into the deep end at ANZ Premiership back in Round 6 for the Pulse rather than having to play in NZ’s second-tier netball comp. But she made such an instant impact as sure she’ll keep on learning on before she can fulfil her full potential someday what has been a great few games so far at this top level.

Then you got another Pulse towering player this time at the back and she too is experienced at both Domestic & International in her prime is Kelly Jackson (nee Jury) as the main goalkeeper. Every time you struggle to put the pieces together, Kelly steps in to steal the ball away from anyone’s opposition fingertips with her long arms that gave plenty of time for her team to get the job done – which was mission accomplished under her watch very easily v the vulnerable Steel. Not only that she’s provided excellent leadership and communication in the Pulse back three on what has been another great season for her off the back of a busy 2023 including the World Cup on-court as well as her marriage to husband Cameron Jackson off-court.

And Kate Heffernan was one of the Steel’s beneficiaries on what has been yet another underwhelming match as a whole team in the middle. She’s got excellent all-round mobility likewise with her twin sister Georgia in the same team at Goal Assist as being tested both defensively to protect her back three and also in attack where she can get away quick smart to try and get things done at the other end. Kate ended up with 19 goal assists along with 36 feeds and a few general play turnovers that reflected the Steel’s good first 15 minutes of the night with credit to their great defensive basics. Yes, things could’ve been a lot better if the Steel managed to build on their good start by cutting these handling errors with her being the team’s main goal supplier towards the circle so they would be neck in neck v Steel instead of being so far behind from here. All she wants to do is end this season on a high since Top 3 isn’t possible that would hopefully benefit her personally for the Silver Ferns.

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ANZ Premiership: Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic sensational to put themselves inside the Top 3 bubble after their 42-54 win over the Northern Mystics with four rounds to go

by Sports Benches

Another great game of Monday Night Netball to finish off Round 11 of the 2024 ANZ Premiership at The Trusts Arena in Auckland with another Northern Mystics-Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic contest. The first quarter was close enough by the two sides but it was the Magic who has been in cruise control for the majority before they got themselves out of here with a big win as well as the move to 3rd now on the ladder with four rounds to go. Magic led the Mystics by 12 points (18-30) going into half-time and nothing much has happened where Magic kept on scoring before they won also by 12 points (42-54).

Hard to see Mystics fall way out of reach despite a good start including winning the 4th quarter alone when Magic needed to slow things down but their poor passage of play, ill-discipline and using players in and out of the bench ultimately cost them the game as they now sit just outside the Top 3 in 4th. Magic will be up next against another Auckland side in the Northern Stars this Saturday afternoon at home while Mystics will travel to Christchurch on Sunday v the No.1 Mainland Tactix team.

Georgia Takarangi is the Magic defensive engine who can turn things around in an instant at goal defense every time the Mystics struggled to find some ground through to their own shooters. She never stopped grasping this time & time again so Georgia give her mid-courters the chance to get things done at the other end & voila! her side has been exceptional from start to finish including a comfortable lead and win up front. Credit to her natural physical game where she was able to slide her way from out of nowhere & also up high through the poor Mystics passage of play on what has been a magical win tonight that moves them up to 3rd now on the ladder & hopefully play Finals this year with four regular weeks to go.

Then the well-traveled Claire O’Brien also had a terrific performance on her 50th national game at wing attack for the Magic. She is someone who benefited from her side’s brilliant back three defense and Ariana Cable-Dixon in the mid-court, having been an excellent feeder with the ball on hand to her front two shooters where goals were made there towards the inside circle. She’s happy to be here in Waikato after playing for so many clubs over the years but sure she will use the experience and setbacks to push her side towards a brilliant end to the 2024 season with a possible Finals run now possible.

And Filda Vui did the best she can to keep the Mystics ticking at goal assist. She has a brilliant eye both from a shooting and natural game standpoint even though she might not be the tallest up front, but is always an excellent team player where she knows what’s best to get the Mystics over the shooting net. But it’s unfortunate that the Mystics poor passage of play, plenty of ill-discipline and endless chopping and changing from the bench wasn’t her team’s night – not even the injury cloud hasn’t helped them that much despite seeing Grace Nweke back on-court as they now sit just outside the Top 3 Finals bubble in 4th.

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Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic def. Southern Steel to set up next Monday’s fight for 3rd in the ANZ Premiership v Northern Mystics

by Sports Benches

It was a fairly quiet game but close though tonight to finish off Week 10 of 15 between the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic v Southern Steel in the 2024 ANZ Premiership Netball season after two close games over the weekend. We saw the Mystics over the Stars in an all-Northern Auckland derby two days ago 51-49 and then the best of the best clash ended right through the wire yesterday with Mainland Tactix (1st) showing the Central Pulse (2nd) whose boss in the end at extra time 58-53.

Steel actually got away with a great start where they won first two quarters. Gotta say it was a big team effort to get things going rather than the attackers converting them into goals though despite staying ahead of the Magic a bit every time the Steel were able to add goals inside the net. Meanwhile, the Magic might have fired off poorly that gave the Steel the benefit of the doubt. Despite this, the Magic were never too far back to see them add up while they added goal after goal of their own top going into the break, 20-22. The nature pacing of this game might not have changed that much where there lots of scrambling defenses from both teams but at least there was a new leader with the Magic while the Steel couldn’t continue to capitalise and own up to their poor shooting conversions up front. The Magic got away by three points head of Steel after the 3rd quarter off the back of some subs and tactical tweaks before they were able to hang into top spot by seven points as the Steel’s poor front two display including its poor tactical decisions has 100% gifted the Magic another win, 48-41.

Ameliaranne Ekenasio is so crucial to the glue of this Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic side as goal attack. Yes, their first half might have been slow and steady but she was always the team’s go-to attack in the front two, who rubs around opposition defenders off the back of the Steel’s poor executions at the other end, particularly when the Magic managed to turn this around from a two-goal trail after half-time. That way, she knows where to find the net either for herself or her goal attacking team-mate when she’s in & around the circle. She will look to keep that recent winning form by closing into the Mystics for that Top 3 Finals circle next Monday & the Magic needs her so badly in order to make that perfect storm up front. Meanwhile, Erena Mikaere also kept a great eye on a struggling Steel front two as the team’s main goal keeper for the Magic. She’s got a physically robust Georgia Takarangi by her side while she’s got the experience and tall reach – such as the impressive read and direction to knock down a hesitant Steel shooting front two herself that led to a lot of ball going her team’s way with a decent comeback to hang in there for the win in the end. Gotta say she’s still got a lot to offer with a great sense of humour having tasted plenty of success in the past as unfinished business goes on by looking to upsurge the Mystics for 3rd next Monday.

And now the Steel attackers includign their starting front two won’t definitely get a shout after a poor attacking conversion display tonight but gotta say Renee Savai’linaea did the best she can possible to keep the Steel in check including her backline at wing defense. The way she communicated with her defenders and Kate Heffernan in the middle was so crucial to get the ball rolling right from the opening centre pass such along with excellent energy to disrupt the Magic as being tested defensively at times to feed these attacking chances at the other end. But as said, it’s just the shooters who let herself & the whole Steel team down where lots of hits and misses eventually forced the Magic’s hand unfortunately with yet another loss.

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Netball: Mainland Tactix relieved to see off the Northern Stars in the end with the one-point win as they now topped the Central Pulse on the 2024 ANZ Premiership Ladder

by Sports Benches

Gotta say that Round 7 of 15 in the 2024 ANZ Premiership Netball competition in New Zealand was full of surprises and unpredictability. We first saw the undefeated Central Pulse run being finally written off by the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic two days ago while the 6th and last place Southern Steel got their first win of 2024 yesterday afternoon v the Northern Mystics.

Now the Mainland Tactix is your new leader ahead of the Pulse after they overcame a serious and attack-minded Northern Stars side by just one point as the final score was 58-57. The first half was shared by the two teams with the Stars off to an excellent start while the Tactix didn’t stop working to keep them in check ahead of half-time 29-29 apiece. Yes, Stars won the third quarter where they had a small few points advantage in the hope of finally securing their first win of 2024. However, they just couldn’t get it over the finish line unfortunately which was a shame as the Stars were right in it for the whole time. Instead, the Tactix managed to turn things around with a little tweaks where a resilient defense, cutting down the ill-discipline and giving Ellie Bird the keys to shoot over the net more often there was the key to their winning path tonight in Christchurch.

Gotta say Ellie Bird was so happy & relived to get her Tactix team over the line v the Northern Stars by just one point after her outstanding performance tonight on 47 of 49 goal attempts at 96% just close within the net (goal shooter). Yes, her numbers around her had a really hard time getting past the Stars on occasions when the opposition also had high standards. But she’s thankful that staying ahead including the last 15 minutes saw her working a little more harder in order to get to stop the Stars from slipping past them while being able to process her finishing more often that fits the way the Tactix wanted to finish it off under her watch. The next Tactix star who did well to stop the Stars in its tracks at the back is Karin Burger on Goal Defense where she can cover everything at the back. She never backs down having read the difficult opposition attack well on her own danger zone in order can take the risk & win the ball back, which paid off in to order bring the ball over through the other end of the court. It goes to show that she’s still got plenty to offer at 31 including the leadership to help stay ahead despite some flaws with the ill-discipline here & there, particularly during the 3rd quarter before she got them home by one point.

And Mila Reuelu-Buchanan really made the Tactix confuse themselves with her all-action energy in the mid court that includes her defensive skills to turn things around & protect her back three. That way, she can give her Northern Stars Shooters the best link-up supply they can get thanks to their good start of the night off the back of her work including an amazing 3rd quarter. They were oh so close to derailing the Tactix’s winning celebration plans in the hope of finishing off another upset like the other two weekend matches but just couldn’t do so unluckily towards the end there with yet another loss after Round 7.

May is about done now as we enter the new month of June for Round 8 this weekend with the Southern Steel v Central Pulse on Saturday, then Mystics v Tactix on Sunday and the Stars will be back next Monday night where they welcome the Magic.

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2024 ANZ Premiership Netball News, Mystics too good tonight with Magic’s 2nd half turnaround not enough after their poor start

by Sports Benches

There was twists and turns to finish off Week 6 of 15 of the 2024 ANZ Premiership Netball season on a Monday night in Auckland where the Northern Mystics well clear past Bay of Plenty Magic with the win 54-44.

First two quarters saw the Mystics score as many as 16-18 while the Magic struggled to stop their opponents or the formidable attacking three in its tracks going into the break 34-16 – that’s a huge difference of 18 points between the two teams. Yes, the Magic began to rebound with back-to-back 2nd quarter leads alone thanks to a series of changes off the bench even but still fell short where their key player Ameliaranne Ekanasio unexpectedly had to sit out due to illness forced the Mystics hand who didn’t waste any time closing the game down towards the final whistle.

Hats off to Peta Toeava with her outstanding performance tonight at wing attack of 23 goal assists & 50 feeds for the Mystics who provides a great supply for her two attackers to get the job inside the circle. She might not be tall but has a an excellent read that benefited her front three alongside an exceptional level of fitness and physicality after causing the Magic so much trouble on the court. Next up is another Mystics player Tayla Earle where she too worked well together with Toeava in the middle that ensured the Mystics destructive shooting structure at the end of the day with a big win. She not only kept a great eye on the Magic defensively but also showed her versatility further up the court in attack thanks to her wonderful skillsets & communication. Gotta say that the Northern Mystics was too good with a top quality first half start even though they were aware that the Magic can crawl back later on but that didn’t bother them a lot thanks to a 10-point win. They will now be heading off to Dunedin this Sunday v Southern Steel who is sitting last right now which shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

And Saviour Tui has done so much to put the Magic on the map as the leading goal shooter after she scored the most goals tonight at 31 out of 36 attempts with a highest overall percentage of 86%. She’s so tall with a brilliant attitude who will always get the job done from close range & also as with lots more to come after she swapped for the South to Waikato in 2024. But then as said, she had to take up the heavy lifting when the Magic’s poor first half defense & a lack of link-up play including no Ameliaranne Ekenasio due to illness saw them collapse left, right and centre. Magic may be staying 4th for now on the ladder but still have a long way to go & get Top 3 that would guarantee them Finals with the Central Pulse next up on Saturday.

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