SOUTHERN Steel made it two from two against Central Pulse with a four goal win (56-52). Neither team was backwards in coming forwards as bodies flew across the court prompting the umpires to get involved with Taneisha Fifita sent off in the dying minutes of the game in what was a highly defensive and physical contest.

It was a nice and tidy start to the match for both sides as the Pulse and Steel capitalised off their centre passes. The influence of George Fisher under the post was undeniable with the Steel goal shooter imposing herself while it was a contrast up the other end with Aliyah Dunn unable to get hands to ball with any ease. A messy passage of play from both sides saw two held ball calls before the Pulse converted and with the centre pass to follow skipped out to a two-goal lead. But within the blink of an eye the Southern Steel stole control of the match establishing a handy buffer themselves, led by Tiana Metuarau. The goal attack was doing a wealth of work out the front to keep Kelly Jury occupied and isolate Fisher under the post against Kelera Nawai as they added to the scoreboard with ease.

A Kate Heffernan-inspired intercept resulted in yet another goal to Fisher as the Steel went on a four goal spree. There were minimal options in attack for the Pulse as the Steel defensive unit worked in overdrive to clog up the space and make life hard.  Fifita got in the head of Dunn early, with the young goal keeper taking advantage of her aerial ability and physicality to contest the hands of Dunn. With Dunn well held it was up to Te Amo Amaru-Tibble to step up and that she did throughout passages to take the heat off her shooting counterpart. But ultimately the Steel had all the momentum as they produced a four -goal lead.

It did not take long for the Southern Steel to add to the scoreboard with their quick release from the centre into the circle gifting them the upper hand. The long arms of Jury were clearly causing havoc as she lulled Fisher into her second held ball for the game. Jury was rewarded for her effort up the other end with Dunn nailing an important goal but could not go back-to-back. After a relatively tidy start to the term, some scrappiness crept into the game as balls went astray in attack for the Steel as the likes of Jury and Nawai got hands to turnovers but could not gain clean possession. Claire Kersten was a consistent force through the midcourt for the Pulse while the speed of Whitney Souness was paramount as she endeavoured to open up the attack line.

The connection between Amaru-Tibble and Dunn was really labouring as the two continued to miss each other on the drive or overcook their passes. Meanwhile the partnership between Fisher and Metuarau was on fire as the two rotated the circle easily. The battle between Shannon Saunders and Maddy Gordon brought plenty of interest as the two fought gallantly for their respective sides. They matched each other for speed and tenacity and it showed particularly around circle edge. Looking to extend their lead the Steel made a change down in goal defence with Sarahpheinna Woulf making her way onto the court, replacing Te Huinga Selby-Rickit. The Pulse went on a mini three-goal run to end the term to draw the margin back to three goals and keep themselves within striking distance.

The Pulse came out with a real point to prove in the early stages of the third term, quickly levelling the scores. Flying somewhat under the radar, Renee Savai’inaea impressed out in wing defence with her work rate and hands over pressure enabling her to win back her fair share of ball. The speedy transition down the court from the Steel seemed to be the real difference as the Steel piled on five goals straight to once again secure the lead. The wheels really started to fall off for the Pulse in attack as they failed to execute the pass into the circle leaving a lot to be desired.

The match continued to ebb and flow as the home side added three consecutive goals to its tally before Fisher settled her side with a much needed goal. Neither side could really be split in the third quarter but defensively the Pulse started to build some momentum off the hands of Nawai. The athleticism of Heffernan came to the fore with the centre using her flair, strength and closing speed to reel in an intercept around circle edge. The Steel showed their class to weather the storm and regain control heading into the break up by two goals.

There was plenty on the line in the final term of the game with the Steel landing the first blow. Scores were tied up once again with a tick under 12 minutes to play as the intensity rose across the court. Souness’ speed was important in creating movement in the attacking third for the Pulse while Gordon was wearing Saunders like a glove. A wry pass from Amaru-Tibble was ultimately the undoing for the Pulse as it gifted the Steel a chance to fly down the court and convert as the visitors crept out to a three goal lead. It was a highly physical game and that did not give up in the dying minutes of the game as Fifita was sent off after barrelling through Kersten. But that did not alter the result of the game with the Steel once again triumphant.

Accuracy proved to be no issue for either side as Dunn finished the match at 98 per cent only missing one of her 40 attempts. Amaru-Tibble was also prominent under the ring thanks to her 13 goals from a14 attempts along with her 11 goal assists. Kersten led the way with 18 goal assists as Nawai plied her trade with four gains and two intercepts to her name. Fisher was her ever consistent self, sinking 44 goals at 90 per cent as Metuarau impressed with her 12 goals and 14 goal assists. Saunders shone recording 23 goal assists while Heffernan displayed her defensive tendencies to lead all-comers with three intercepts.