New Zealand Super Club wrap: Day 2

IT was an action packed Day 2 of the Super Club tournament with the Central Pulse getting on the board with a convincing win over Vitality Super Netball League team Wasps Netball. Collingwood Magpies kept their winning streak alive notching up another victory while the Southern Steel and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic also registered a win.

Southern Steel (45) defeated Northern Mystics (41)

Both sides could not be separated throughout the first half all tied up at 24 goals apiece proving just how close the match was. But they call it the premiership quarter for a reason with the Steel going on a scoring spree to pile on 13 goals to seven in the third to all but set up the win. The new look goal circle for the Steel took a while to kick into gear but once they found their feet they managed to score with ease a relatively high accuracy sitting at a combined 75 per cent. Jennifer O’Connell led the way under the post with 20 goals from 26 attempts while Kalifa McCollin was the most accurate of the lot with 10 goals from 11 attempts at 91 per cent. Kate Heffernan was strong through the midcourt hitting the circle edge with ease racking up 13 feeds while her defensive efforts were equally as impressive amassing two intercepts, six gains and five deflections. Once again goal shooter Grace Nweke stood tall owning the circle with her imposing figure, clever positioning and accuracy scoring 35 goals from 40 attempts. Bailey Mes and Saviour Tui both struggled to trouble the scoreboard but played a key role out the front feeding the ball into Nweke.  Defensively Sulu Fitzpatrick and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson put up a wall blocking any easy entrance into the goal circle with Sokolich-Beatson really putting in the hard yards and reaping the rewards with six gains, two intercepts and nine deflections. Despite their defensive efforts it was not enough to nullify the rotating goal circle of the Steel who ultimately proved too strong.

Northern Stars (39) defeated by Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic (53)

It was a disappointing outing for the Stars; were well beaten by the Magic who came out with a real fire in the belly from the first whistle. The Magic put their foot down in the second quarter keeping their opponents to a mere four goals compared to their 14 highlighting their ability to sense the moment and capitalise. Kelsey McPhee led the charge in attack with the goal shooter proving to be the go to girl thanks to her composed nature, control of the ball and accuracy sitting at 92 per cent with 35 goals from 38 attempts. She paired well with Abigail Latu-Meafou out the front while the addition of Georgia Marshall and Khiarna Williams in the fourth quarter paid dividends only missing one goal between them. Whitney Souness was integral through the midcourt using her speed to deliver ball into the goalers. Up the other end Jenna O’Sullivan showcased her defensive prowess picking up six gains, one intercept and five deflections. The Northern Stars had their moments and mounted somewhat of a comeback bringing on towering goaler Maia Wilson in the second half who provided a key target under the post and most importantly did the job converting 21 of her 23 attempts at 91 per cent. But fellow shooters Juliana Naoupu, Vika Koloto and Jamie Hume who rotated through the circle struggled to have the same impact and accuracy. Storm Purvis plied her trade in defence working hard to get hands to ball with three gains and an intercept to her name while Kate Burley also provided plenty of excitement across the defensive third with three gains and two intercepts.

Mainland Tactix (38) defeated by Collingwood Magpies (51)

The Trans-Tasman clash saw the Magpies prevail after a tight tussle in the first quarter. Collingwood struggled to get separation early but upped the ante in the following quarters to secure their second win of the tournament. Goal attack and fan favourite Nat Medhurst claimed player of the match honours after her impressive efforts slotting 14 goals from 17 attempts at 82 per cent along with 17 goal assists highlighting her high workload across the court. Medhusrt paired exceptionally well with Shimona Nelson who showcased her aerial ability and improved accuracy only missing four out of her 37 shots at 89 per cent while new training partner Nyah Allen made a solid cameo appearance in the final term to sink four from five. Geva Mentor and Matilda Garrett were on song once again with the defensive duo causing confusion and contesting the ball in the air amassing seven gains, three intercepts and six deflections such is their prowess. But Brooke Allan was not about to be outdone by Mentor imposing herself in the goal circle while Melissa Bragg also came to play shutting down the likes of Samon Nathan and Jess Prosser. For the Tactix Ellie Bird and Te Paea Selby-Rickit showed plenty of promise with the two flicking the ball around the circle to reposition and score. Bird set the tone holding strong and commanding the ball with her height while piling on 22 goals and Selby-Rickit put on 12 goals. Up against her old side- albeit a replacement player for Collingwood, Kimiora Poi proved her worth donning the centre bib and running both ways to provide an offensive and defensive option. But the Magpies were simply too strong and outclassed their opponents at almost every turn.

Central Pulse (56) defeated Wasps Netball (39)

After dropping their first game of the Super Club, Central Pulse did not want to make that mistake twice bringing out the big guns to run rampant against international rivals Wasps. Pulse were in control from the get-go setting the tempo of the game and dictating the flow of play credit to key players such as goal shooter Aliyah Dunn and Katrina Rore. Dunn only played three quarters but had a huge influence on the rhythm of the game with Maddy Gordon and Clare Kersten finding her with ease under the post. Dunn slotted 27 goals from 28 attempts at 96 per cent, while Ameliaranne Ekenasio took the court for the first time this tournament and did not skip a beat converting 14 of her 15 attempts. Pulse proved accuracy and rotation was no issue with Tiana Metuarua also sitting at 94 per cent while for the Wasps volume and variety seemed to be the underlying issue. Rachel Dunn led the Wasps contingent with 34 goals from 40 attempts but struggled to get support from the likes of Katie Harris (five from eight) and youngster Alexia Baker who made her debut. Josie Huckle and Hannah Knights failed to control the explosiveness of the Pulse shooters while on the other hand, Karin Burger, Elle Temu and Rore played their role shutting down the free reign in attack and picking off passes. Temu provided a real spark in defence pick pocketing opponents to rack up five gains, one intercept and six deflections.

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