AFTER almost two years without a win, the Southern Steel finally are on the board after they defeated the Northern Stars by two goals. In the battle of the 2024 winless sides, the Stars were in control for most of the match, before the Steel hit back late to take the match to extra time and then ultimately prevail.

The Stars got out to a fast start, scoring the first three goals of the game before the Steel had their first on the board. That quick start helped the Stars maintain a decent buffer through the front part of the quarter, and was maintained by the stellar efforts of the likes of Holly Fowler in defence.

It took them until the last few minutes of the term, but eventually the Steel did find a spark, buoyed by the intercept work of Kate Heffernan. They only got it down to as low as a two-goal margin, but it was spark the side desperately needed as the Stars looked rather clinical. In the end though, the Stars got the margin back up to three goals at quarter time.

The Steel did get the better start to the second term, but could not quite complete the deficit elimination. The home side did eventually eliminate the deficit with about five minutes to go in the term as they finally got some turnover ball and managed to get a string of goals in a row. Much of the rest of the quarter went on centre pass, and as such the scores were dead even at 29 goals apiece at the main break.

After the teams initially traded blows to begin the third term, it was the Stars who asserted control over the game, which was built off the back of some strong intercept work from Lili Tokaduadua at goal keeper. They took an eight-goal lead into the final change, and were looking like they were well on their way to recording a first win of 2024.

However, the Steel had other ideas.

Although it took them a few moments to get going, once the chains of goals in a row really got going, the Steel really swung the momentum in their favour. They did have one last chance to take the win and avoid going to extra time, but Grace Namana’s shot missed and it was time to go to extra time.

Despite a late fightback in the second half of extra time from the Stars, the Steel had done enough work in the first half of extra time to ultimately prevail and break their streak of losses.

In other results:

• The Central Pulse have handed the Northern Mystics their second loss in a row after the Pulse won by five goals.

The Mystics were the better side in the first half, but the Pulse regrouped at half time and fought back to take the win.

Parris Mason racked up six gains for the Pulse in the win, while Whitney Souness was a workhorse through mid court. Meanwhile for the Mystics. Phoenix Karaka also picked up six gains, while unsurprisingly Elisapeta Toeava pulled in plenty of stats in wing attack.

• The Tactix continue to remain undefeated this season after pipping the Magic by the barest of margins.

It was tight right through the match, but the Tactix did enough to hold off the Magic at the death.

Kimiora Poi starred for the Tactix in the win, while Erikana Pedersen was also impressive. Georgia Takarangi racked up six gains for the Magic in the win, while skipper Ameliaranne Ekenasio was impactful both in and out of the circle.