JUST four sides will take to the court in Round 5 of the ANZ Premiership season, with both Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and Southern Steel playing two matches. The pair face off in the standalone Saturday game, before the Magic travel to Auckland on Saturday to lock horns with Northern Stars, whilst the Steel heading to Wellington to face Central Pulse on Monday.

Starting with the Saturday clash, the Magic and Steel have both played the four games previously, with the Steel sitting third with a 2-2 record, but still two wins off the top placed Northern Mystics. The Magic are fifth on the ladder with one win from four games, but technically only a couple of points behind the Steel.

Bailey Mes and Ameliaranne Ekenasio are building a strong partnership with more minutes each week, as Ivana Rowland remains a valuable third cog in the shooting circle. The Steel have the in-form Kate Burley who is ranked in the top five four rebounds, and intercepts, whilst Renee Savai’inaea will have a great battle with the likes of Claire Kersten midcourt.

The Magic will then clash with the Stars who have only managed the two games due to COVID-19 delays. Despite only playing the two games, the Stars have a healthy percentage of 96.7, and have a better goal difference than the other two sides on one win. A victory would see them leapfrog both the Magic and Mainland Tactix. Maia Wilson has shot 79 goals from 87 attempts at 91 per cent, with Gina Crampton a key player to try and win the midcourt battle. Elle Temu (six intercepts) has been an important player on the defensive end.

Rounding out the trio of games, the Stars will then face the Pulse on Monday. The second placed Pulse will hope to edge closer to the Mystics, and will also need to win to starve off the Steel. If the Steel win, it will guarantee them second spot regardless of the other game’s results, making this clash the game of the weekend.

Central Pulse’s defensive duo of Kristiana Manu’a and Kelly Jury were the key to victory last match out, with Jury earning Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours, and Manu’a grabbing the winning intercept in the final few seconds against the Magic. Up the other end, the pairing of Aliyah Dunn and Tiana Metuarau have formed a valuable combination in the shooting circle, whilst George Fisher will be the top scorer heading into the match.