THERE was no Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) action this week meanwhile Round 8 of the ANZ Premiership rolled around. There were plenty of close shaves in the ANZ Premiership and with that a couple of impressive performances as the Mystics toppled the top of the table Stars and Tactix reigned supreme over the Pulse.

GS: Grace Nweke (Northern Mystics)
GA: Chiara Semple (Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic)
WA: Gina Crampton (Northern Stars)
C: Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (Northern Stars)
WD: Charlotte Elley (Mainland Tactix)
GD: Kelly Jury (Central Pulse)
GK: Jane Watson (Mainland Tactix)

BENCH: George Fisher (Southern Steel), Peta Toeava (Northern Mystics), Taneisha Fifita (Southern Steel)

Grace Nweke finds herself named in our Team of the Week once again with the talented goal shooter plying her trade for the Northern Mystics. A force to be reckoned with inside the circle, Nweke was able to position cleverly and use her strength to dictate the flow inside the circle putting up a whopping 60 goals from 64 attempts at 94 per cent. Joining her inside the circle for the first time this season is Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic goal attack, Chiara Semple. The smooth-moving shooter might have only played three quarters this round but impressed with her classy movement, accuracy to post and confidence to back herself from range. Semple only missed one goal nailing 19 of her 20 attempts while also racking up 10 goal assists in a strong and consistent showing.

It is no surprise to see Gina Crampton once again getting the nod in at wing attack with the fancy-footed midcourter controlling the tempo for the Stars. With impressive vision into the circle, composure and cleanliness, Crampton was a real staple for the Stars and while they did not get the win she was a driving force in attack. Speedster, Mila Reuelu-Buchanan earned the start for another week with her clever drives, pinpoint passes and timing enabling her to control proceedings for the Stars. She balanced the circle alongside teammate Crampton to give the shooters the best chance to score while her vision into the circle was also impressive. Looking at the wing defence position and it is hard to go past Charlotte Elley. Somewhat of an unsung hero in the defensive third for the Tactix, Elley was on top of her game using her speed and long arms to wreak havoc. With deceptive closing speed and an undeniable tenacity the wing defence picked up three gains and two intercepts for her efforts.

Still finding her feet out in goal defence, Kelly Jury had a strong performance for the Pulse with her hands over pressure and lean over the shot. Although she did not feature highly on the stats sheet with three gains and two intercepts it was the work off the ball from Jury that set her apart, putting in the hard yards to shut down her opponent and double back into the goal circle to get hands to ball. Mainland Tactix goal keeper Jane Watson had a point to prove in her Round 8 clash, striking in the opening minutes of play to win ball back for her side. Her long arms, lean over the shot and read of the play enabled her to get hands to ball and cause plenty of disruptions down back while her cleanliness was another key element.

Unlucky not to get the nod in the starting goal shooter role, George Fisher takes out the bench position credit to her composure to landing the winning goal and all-round class throughout the match. Alongside her on the bench is Northern Mystics wing attack, Peta Toeava who continued her dominant form with ball in hand racking up 29 goal assists and an intercept. The final spot goes to Taneisha Fifita, with the goal keeper plying her trade up against a classy opposition to get hands to ball and keep her side ahead, stepping up at crucial moments.