WITH only the three games this round, each club will be wanting to make their way into the winning books and set their season up. Last round brought some surprise losses and big wins with many teams now looking to gain some consistency across the four quarters and iron out any lapses in play.

Northern Mystics v. Southern Steel

March, Saturday, 2, 4:10pm
The Trusts Arena, Auckland

In the last game of the round the Southern Steel pulled out all the stops proving why they are a force to be reckoned with claiming a 20-point win. Meanwhile the Mystics struggled to get into a rhythm across the court especially in the goal circle.

The shooting duo of Lenize Potgieter and Te Paea Selby-Rickit could prove to be a handful for the Mystics defenders with both Steel shooters renowned for their accuracy and volume to post. Experienced goal defence Erena Mikaere will have to use every trick in the book to try and quell the dominance of the South African and Silver Ferns pair in the goal circle.

The midcourt battle between Gina Crampton and Mystics wing defence Michaela Sokolich-Beatson will be pivotal, in either stopping the attacking flow or providing an easy path to goal. Kristina Brice could play a big role in the goal circle for the Mystics credit to her height and ability to hit the scoreboard, while shooting partner Bailey Mes will have to lift her shooting load to put up a competitive total.

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic v. Central Pulse

March, Monday, 4, 7:40pm
Energy Events Centre, Rotorua

The Pulse came out all guns blazing putting on a scoring frenzy last round and will be looking to do the same this round. Magic kicked into gear in their second game and showed their experience and class with the likes of Casey Kopua, Kelly Jury and Sam Sinclair going up a notch, finding their rhythm on the court. With both sides eager to establish their dominance in the competition expect the game to be hotly contested.

All eyes will be on the defensive end with both clubs filled with plenty of Silver Ferns such as Katrina Rore, Karin Burger and Sulu Fitzpatrick, while for the Magic Kopua, Jury and Sinclair have all represented the squad. While there is plenty of talent in defence, the Pulse have the likes of Ameliarrane Ekenasio and Aaliyah Dunn with both shooters hitting the scoreboard and rotating through the circle nicely making them a formidable combination.

Through the midcourt it will be a battle of the wing attacks with Pulse’s Whitney Souness renowned for her speed, agility and clever feeds, while the experienced Temepara Bailey offers plenty of netball smarts and works the angles well in Magic’s attacking end.

Northern Stars v. Mainland Tactix

March, Wednesday, 6, 7:40pm
Pulman Arena

The Northern Stars claimed a thriller, with a two-goal victory over the reigning premiers in their first match of the season and will be hoping to bring that intensity and hunt for the ball into Round 2. Meanwhile the Tactix had an up and down start to the season with one win and one loss.

The defensive stocks for the Stars are heavily stacked with the likes of Storm Purvis down in keeper, Leana De Bruin at goal defence and Kayla Cullen donning the wing defence bib, making them a hard team to score against credit to their intense pressure. Shooting wise Northern also have plenty of firepower with Ferns goaler Maia Wilson a real presence in the goal circle, while Ellen Halpenny is a steady force in the circle with her timely feeds and smooth shots on goal.

For the Tactix experienced shooter Kate Beveridge and Ellie Bird proved to be a deadly combination under the ring posting some impressive tallies. Dynamic midcourter, Kimmiora Poi could be a real play maker with her clever releases, quick feet and ability to hit the circle edge. Goal keeper Jane Watson will be looking to have a big game in order to stop Stars, shooting sensation Wilson.