Last weekend, we saw round 4 of the ANZ Premiership, and it produced the first draw in the competition’s short history.
In the first game of the round, Mystics consolidated their place in the top 2 with a good 5 goal win over Tactix. Tactix got out of the blocks quickly and led at 1/4 time before Mystics gradually got on top, thanks largely to the efforts of Grace Nweke (38/40), Peta Toeava (25 assists) and Sulu Fitzpatrick (5 gains). Defending champions Pulse won two matches during the round. One was an easy victory over Magic but the other was a hard fought win over Steel. Steel took it right up to Pulse and looked on target for an upset win before the competition favourites clicked into gear in the final quarter to end up with a 7 goal victory. The highlight of the match was the performance of Pulse’s shooters, Ameliaranne Ekenasio (25/25) and Aaliyah Dunn (22/22) in going through the entire match without missing a shot. Truly incredible. In the final match of the round, Magic and Stars played out a 46 all draw in one of the most topsy-turvy games you’re likely to see. Each team took it in turns to dominate. Magic won the first quarter by 5, then Stars did the same in the 2nd quarter to leave it level at half time. Stars seemingly took control of the match in the 3rd quarter when they won it by 7. But again momentum changed. Magic came storming back, levelling the scores before shooter Abigail Latu-Meafou had a call go against her in the dying stages, denying her the opportunity to win the game. Given the up and down nature of the contest, a draw was probably a fair result. Round 5 starts tonight.
2020 ANZ PREMIERSHIP – Round 4
Northern Mystics 47 (11, 13, 11, 12) def Mainland Tactix 42 (14, 10, 9, 9)
Mystics
Nweke 38/40 (95%)
Tui 8/12 (67%)
Grapes 1/1 (100%)
Team Total: 47/53 (89%)
Assists 43 (Toeava 25)
Gains 11 (Fitzpatrick 5)
Tactix
Bird 26/29 (90%)
Selby-Rickit 16/24 (67%)
Team Total: 42/53 (79%)
Assists 39 (Pederson 18)
Gains 9 (Fakahokotau 5)
Points: Mystics 4, Tactix 1
Player of the Match: Sulu Fitzpatrick (Mystics)
Central Pulse 47 (14, 9, 10, 14) def Southern Steel 40 (11, 13, 11, 5)
Pulse
Ekenasio 25/25 (100%)
Dunn 22/22 (100%)
Team Total: 47/47 (100%)
Assists 44 (Gordon 14)
Gains 11 (Jury, Burger 3)
Steel
O’Connell 27/32 (84%)
McCollin 13/14 (93%)
Team Total: 40/46 (87%)
Assists 34 (Crampton 16)
Gains 7 (Selby-Rickit 3)
Points: Pulse 4, Steel 0
Player of the Match: Ameliaranne Ekenasio (Pulse)
Central Pulse 51 (12, 17, 12, 10) def Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 30 (11, 5, 7, 7)
Pulse
Dunn 23/27 (85%)
Ekenasio 21/24 (88%)
Metuarau 7/11 (64%)
Team Total: 51/62 (82%)
Assists 43 (Kersten 17)
Gains 14 (Jury 4)
Magic
McPhee 19/26 (73%)
Williams 8/11 (73%)
Latu-Meafou 3/3 (100%)
Team Total: 30/40 (75%)
Assists 22 (Souness 11)
Gains 9 (Fowler 4)
Points: Pulse 4, Magic 0
Player of the Match: Claire Kersten (Pulse)
Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 46 (13, 11, 7, 15) drew with Northern Stars 46 (8, 16, 14, 8)
Magic
McPhee 28/37 (76%)
Latu-Meafou 17/20 (85%)
Williams 1/3 (33%)
Team Total: 46/60 (77%)
Assists 40 (Souness 20)
Gains 8 (Mikaere 4)
Stars
Wilson 34/37 (92%)
Hume 12/17 (71%)
Team Total: 46/54 (85%)
Assists 41 (Kara 17)
Gains 7 (Purvis 4)
Points: Magic 2, Stars 2
Player of the Match: Whitney Souness (Magic)
Table:
1 – Pulse . 20 points (Pld 5)
2 – Mystics . 16 points (Pld 5)
–
3 – Tactix . 9 points (Pld 5)
4 – Stars . 8 points (Pld 5)
5- Magic . 6 points (Pld 5)
6 – Steel . 5 points (Pld 5)
Upcoming matches:
(NZ times)
7pm, FRI 10 JUL – Pulse v Steel
5pm, SAT 11 JUL – Steel v Stars
5pm, SUN 12 JUL – Stars v Magic
7pm, SUN 12 JUL – Tactix v Mystics
7pm, MON 13 JUL – Tactix v Magic