IN the second Super Sunday round of the season the Northern Mystics managed to claim their first win of the year, while the Central Pulse forged away at the top of the table with another victory, pushing them two games ahead of second placed Southern Steel.

Central Pulse (48) defeated Mainland Tactix (33)

In a dominant display from the competition front runners, the Central Pulse seemed to have all angles covered across the court. It was a relatively low scoring affair, with the Tactix only managing to post double figures in the final term with both sides shooting 11 goals.

The Pulse toyed around with their attacking line-up with star shooter, Aaliyah Dunn only featuring for the third quarter, proving to be accurate slotting 12 from 12 in that quarter alone. Ameliaranne Ekenasio found herself in at goal shooter for majority of the game and used her lovely timing and good drives to open up the circle. Ekenasio shot at 81 percent, nailing 21 goals for the game, while youngster Tiana Metaurau proved her worth in at goal attack, putting up 15 goals and showcasing her timely drives and clever goal assists. Centre, Claire Kersten did a wealth of work through the midcourt, racking up 13 goal assists and 29 feeds. Up the defensive end, Sulu Fitzpatrick starred with her seven gains and four intercepts. The tenacious goal keeper was helped by the ever-reliable Katrina Rore who also chipped in with five gains and three intercepts.

The Tactix seemed unable to combat the pressure that the Pulse were applying, forced into errors across the court and amassing 32 general play turnovers. Goal shooter, Ellie Bird stood tall in the circle, proving accuracy is no issue for side and going at 95 percent only missing the one shot for the game (21 from 22). Samon Nathan proved to be a handy inclusion through the midcourt with her strong drives to the top of the circle and good vision to her shooters. Jane Watson was once again impressive down in defence credit to her clean hands and quick feet, racking up nine gains, three intercepts and three rebounds.

Northern Mystics (50) defeated by Northern Stars (63)

The Northern Stars did not muck around, coming out all guns firing in the opening quarter, slotting 19 goals and keeping the Mystics to a mere 10. Their offensive and defensive pressure were second to none, with the Mystics unable to move the ball down the court at times.

Once again it was the accuracy under the post that cost the Mystics, with Bailey Mes only sitting at 56 percent with 15 goals from 27 attempts. Goal shooter, Grace Nweke was a solid target in the goal circle, holding her space well in the three quarters that she was on court. Nweke managed to nail 31 goals from her 42 attempts but it was not enough. Through the midcourt, Elisapeta Toeava and Tayla Earle worked hard to bring the ball down and get into clever feeding positions. The defensive unit of Erena Mikaere, Phoenix Karaka and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson was impressive, credit to their hands over pressure. Karaka really led the defence, picking up seven gains and a whopping five intercepts.

Though her accuracy was down (71 percent), Maia Wilson still posed a threat in the goal circle, with her smooth movement and ability to go to post. Wilson shot 42 goals from 54 attempts while Ellen Halpenny played a good support role in at goal attack with 12 goals. Young Australian Charlee Hodges also got some court time in the second half, making her mark on the scoreboard with 10 goals from 11 attempts. The experienced Temepara Bailey was a workhorse through the midcourt with her two-way running and impressive vision, while Mila Reuelu-Buchanan dominated in at wing attack with a whopping 34 goal assists, 59 feeds and 20 centre pass receives. Captain, Leana De Bruin applied plenty of defensive pressure for the Stars, amassing eight gains and three intercepts.

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic (46) defeated by Southern Steel (59)

The Southern Steel dominated from start to finish, shooting 33 goals to the Magic’s 20 in the opening half. After their impressive start they never really looked back, forcing the Magic to play catch-up.

With plenty of experience defensively, the Magic were able to withstand some of the pressure thanks to goal keeper Kelly Jury picking up seven gains, three intercepts and three rebounds. Casey Kopua was down by her standards, while Sam Sinclair worked like a Trojan across the court. Her defensive play and ability to switch into attack with ease was a key element in her game. Unfortunately, a lack of experience in the goal circle meant the Magic struggled to post a dominant total, with Abigail Latu-Meafou only converting eight from her 12 attempts, while Monica Falkner managed 11 goals. In the end, it was Kelsey McPhee who shouldered the load putting up 27 goals for the Magic, but it was not enough to get them over the line.

The Southern Steel were led by Abby Erwood who dominated down in defence with her clean hands, ability to read the play and disrupt the opposition’s attacking play. She racked up 10 gains, five intercepts and five rebounds. Their attack was spearheaded by South African, Lenize Potgieter who continued her dominant ways with another 33 goals, shooting at 80 percent. Wing attack, Gina Crampton once again impressed with her strong drives, quick feet, dodges and clever feeds into the circle amassing 24 goal assists and 52 feeds for the game. Te Paea Selby-Rickit shot at 75 percent, converting 21 of her goals and doing a wealth of work out of the circle to move the ball down the court.

Northern Mystics (54) defeated Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic (44)

The Northern Mystics claimed their first win of the year with a convincing 10-goal victory over Waikato Bay. After winning the first quarter the Magic were unable to sustain their dominance, while the Mystics kicked it up a notch to run over the top of them.

Grace Nweke impressed with her accuracy under the post, shooting at 87 percent and nailing 33 goals from 38 attempts. Bailey Mes also upped her ante in the goal circle with 18 goals, while also doing a wealth of work out the front with 16 centre pass receives. Elisapeta Toeava used her speed and dynamic footwork to create space, leading the way with her 28 goal assists and 53 feeds. Karaka and Mikaere combined well to get 13 gains and four intercepts.

Coming off a game the night before, the Magic looked a little bit worse for wear and it showed on the scoreboard. Yet again Jury and Kopua were dominant with Jury racking up 10 gains, three intercepts and three rebounds, while Kopua also managed six gains and three intercepts. Wing attack Simmon Howe led the way with feeds for the Magic with 31, while wing defence, Lisa Mather also did a wealth of work to try and quell the influence of her counterpart.

Central Pulse (68) defeated Northern Stars (42)

The Central Pulse obliterated the Northern Stars with a whopping 26 goal win over their third placed opposition. Pulse were hot from the get-go, nailing 19 goals in the first quarter while keeping the Stars to a mere nine goals.

Ekenasio and Dunn once again dominated in the goal circle, credit to their accuracy to post and high volume of shots. It was a relatively even shooting load with Ekenasio slotting 30 from 34, while goal shooter, Dunn managed 38 from 41 sitting at 93 percent. Through the midcourt the speed and precision of Whitney Souness was on show, with the wing attack racking up 29 goal assists and 40 feeds, showcasing her dominance in the attacking third. Claire Kersten also made her presence felt, hitting the circle edge hard with 24 feeds. Up the defensive end, goal keeper Sulu Fitzpatrick led the way with her eight gains and two intercepts, while wing defence Karin Burger also flexed her muscles with five intercepts and eight gains to cap off an impressive overall performance by the Pulse.

The Stars struggled to combat the pressure of the Pulse but still had some solid performers with Maia Wilson strong under the post. Youngster Charlee Hodges managed to get some court time, while experienced goal attack Ellen Halpenny also chipped in with her 10 goals. Holly Fowler and Kate Burley were strong through the middle with their timely drives and ability to apply pressure. Fowler led the way for her side with 23 feeds and 12 goal assists.