Pulse Seal Third Spot With Last-Gasp Win
Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse confirmed their spot in next weekend's Elimination Final after nailing a last-gasp super shot and with it a 56-54 win over AVIS Magic in Tauranga on Saturday.
With 48 seconds left on the clock and trailing by one, Pulse captain Kelly Jackson snared a vital intercept, helping the visitors to level the scores while also enjoying the next centre pass. Getting the ball forward and into Amorangi Malesala's hands, the super shot specialist made no mistake when slotting the all-important winner with three seconds remaining.
With nothing riding on the match for the Magic, playing for pride and to honour Georgia Tong's last professional match, the home side delivered a memorable second half to keep the Pulse's Finals Series involvement on tenterhooks.
Coming into the last 15 minutes with the scores level, the Magic had their noses in front for much of that time as the thrilling contest kept everyone of the edge of their seats but ultimately had the match stolen from them in the dying seconds.
The Magic left their best until last in a disappointing season while the Pulse live to fight another day. Respective shooters, Saviour Tui with 38 from 38 and Amelia Walmsley 43/43 were standout performers in a tense and pressure-stacked outing.
The opening stanza produced the tightest of contests in a goal-for-goal stand-off. The Magic employing a shorter style of game where they impressed with their ball retention while the Pulse found success when looking for the long-range option on attack.
Both sets of shooters returned impressive figures as possession was evenly-matched, the lead changing hands a couple of times before two Ameliaranne Ekenasio super shots gave the home side a 17-15 lead at the end of a high-scoring first quarter.
Coinciding with the injection of Whitney Souness, at centre, and Fa'amu Ioane, wing defence, both missing the previous two matches through concussion and illness, respectively, the Pulse clicked up a gear.
With Tiana Metuarau, Maddy Gordon and Souness providing seamless service to Walmsley while lifting their efforts on defence, the visitors bustled the Magic into error. Jackson and jack-of-all trades Gabi Simpson, at goal defence, also did a fine job of restricting the Magic's strong shooting duo.
An 8-3 run by the Pulse prompted a tactical timeout for the home side who produced a fleeting response during which Tong produced several of her trademark athletic endeavours in getting hand to ball while Claire O'Brien was a busy contributor in the midcourt.
The Magic couldn't get their two-shot working in this phase, the Pulse picking up the crumbs, building their defensive pressure and nailing their opportunities with Walmsley slotting 31 from 31 for the half to give the visitors a handy 32-27 lead at the main break.
The Magic ensured the contest would remain on a knife-edge when delivering a resurgent and thrilling third stanza. Tension levels rose dramatically in the heat of battle as the home side fought every inch of the way.
The connection between shooters Tui and Ekenasio provided the sparkle and motivation under the hoop with their movement and accuracy. Defensively, the home side added the squeeze at the Pulse's attacking end with Erana Mikaere prominent as errors crept in for the visitors.
The feeling from both sides was evident, a sell-out home crowd urging the Magic all the way as they hit the lead with five minutes of the quarter remaining.
A Malesala two-pointer gave the lead back to the Pulse by a tenuous single goal, a furious goal-for-goal exchange in the closing minutes leaving the game wide open when the scores were locked 43-all at the last turn.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Netball's ANZ Premiership is not delivering says former Silver Fern
Kelly Jackson of the Central Pulse and Ellie Bird of the Tactix tussle for the ball, 2025. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Kelly Jackson of the Central Pulse and Ellie Bird of the Tactix tussle for the ball, 2025. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Former Silver Fern Margaret Foster believes the ANZ Premiership has failed to produce the improvements to the game that Netball New Zealand had hoped for and is backing the change to the player eligibility rule. This week Netball New Zealand announced it had updated the Silver Ferns' eligibility criteria , paving the way for greater flexibility for athletes who wish to play overseas. That means the likes of goal shoot Grace Nweke, who has been playing for the New South Wales Swifts in the Australian League, could become available for selection for the Ferns this year. Until now players had to be playing in New Zealand to be considered for selection for the national side. "I get what they (Netball New Zealand) hoped to achieve to keep them all back here but no it (ANZ Premiership) is not delivering," Foster told RNZ. While it would be nice to have all of New Zealand's top athletes playing here, Foster said it was unrealistic with overseas clubs and competitions offering more money. "We're not in a privileged position where we're this massive professional sport where athletes are earning lots of money. "You want to have your best players available in your calendar year, that's why football do it well. "Regardless of where you are playing your netball you need to have your best athletes available." The Trans-Tasman Netball League ran for nine years between 2008 and 2016. Foster, who also coached in that competition, believed the game and therefore quality of the play here would improve by rejoining the Australian competition. "We definitely need to get back into the top league in the world which is the one based in Australia." Magic's Head Coach Noeline Taurua (R) and Assistant Coach Margaret Foster. 2011. Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung / PHOTOSPORT Also this week, Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio announced she would miss this year's internationals . Foster said Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua would be relieved that Ekenasio's decision may be offset by the possible return of Nweke to the Ferns' attacking circle. "A hundred percent thank goodness. Having the two power houses out that would be devastating for the Silver Ferns programme. "But knowing that the likes of a Grace who is playing over there in a tougher competition and playing against the top players in the world, that can only bode well for us." The Silver Ferns would play a series against South Africa in September, before the Constellation Cup series with Australia in October. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
Defensive Effort Earns Tactix Elimination Final Victory
Press Release – ANZ Premiership A storming fourth quarter has propelled the VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix into their third ANZ Premiership Grand Final as they came from behind to beat Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in the Elimination Final. The Tactix kept their clean sheet at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch for the season with a 57-52 win over the Pulse on Sunday night, sending them into the Grand Final where they will meet the Mystics in Auckland in seven days. They needed to rally a huge defensive effort in the last super shot period of play as the Pulse, renowned for their accuracy with two-pointers, netted four super shots in an attempt to steal back the lead. But backed by their home crowd and some key gains from goal defence Karin Burger, the Tactix held their composure to push them through to the Grand Final – a first for new coach Donna Wilkins. It was a mix of the collective defensive pressure through the court and the growing confidence to let the ball go into Ellie Bird, over the top of the long reach of Kelly Jackson, ignited the Tactix late in the third spell and the momentum carried through to the deciding quarter as the hosts started to take control of the match. In contrast, the easy ball that had earlier gone into Pulse shooter Amelia Walmsley dried up for the visitors who found themselves facing a nine-goal deficit midway through the last spell. The Tactix had earlier sprung a surprise in their starting line-up with Burger moving out to the wing and Paris Lokotui taking her spot alongside Jane Watson in the defensive circle. But it was the familiar frontline of Holly Mather, Erikana Pedersen – playing her 100th match for the Tactix – and Te Paea Selby-Rickit at goal attack while Bird got the nod ahead of Martina Salmon at goal shooter. Missing three of their regular starters, including Parris Mason (injury), Whitney Souness and Fa'amu Ioane on the bench, the Pulse went with the experience of Gabi Simpson at centre, Maddy Gordon on the wing and Ainsleyana Puleiata at wing defence while Laura Balmer again teamed with Kelly Jackson in the defensive circle with Amelia Walmsley and Tiana Metuarau pairing up in the shooting circle. With their seasons on the line, each side kept their nerves buried scoring from their centre passes and turnovers from either side kept the scoreline even early in the stanza. Finding the tall timber at either end of the court was aim of both teams – the Tactix moving the ball quickly around the circle while the Pulse looked for the high ball into Walmsley – success coming from the two camps with the scores locked at 5-5. The Tactix' defensive unit attempted to attack the ball outside of the circle, shutting down options into Walmsley, but the quick release from Tiana Metuarau into her shooter gave the visitors the edge in a frenetic first quarter. Souness and Ioane were injected into the match, heading into the super shot period, and another gain to the Pulse gave them a 14-10 advantage at the break. Metuarau attempted her first goal of the game, and landed it, to keep her side ahead on the resumption of play but the Tactix returned to the court with intent, looking to close the four-goal buffer. The struggles up front however returned to the Tactix play, with no easy entry into the shooting circle and an intercept from Jackson gave the visitors a six-goal lead midway through the second quarter. Gordon dictated the tempo up front for the Pulse, hitting the circle edge and firing ball into Walmsley prompting a time-out from the Tactix to switch the defensive line with Burger moving to goal defence and Lokotui to the wing. Five goals remained the difference heading into the second super shot period as the Pulse brought two-point specialist Amorangi Malesala into the match, but it was the Tactix who netted the first long bomb of the game with Selby-Rickit helping to close the gap to 26-30 on the buzzer for halftime. Four quick goals to the Pulse at the start of the second half changed momentum and every goal the hosts were able to net was hard earned as the intensity increased. The midcourt defensive efforts from the Tactix brought them back into the match with two turnovers allowing the hosts to cut the deficit to just two, warming up the red-and-black fans in the stands. Patience with ball in hand was needed and the deflections started to mount for the Tactix as they levelled the scores with two minutes left in the spell, going into the turn with a 41-40 lead. The ANZ Premiership Grand Final between the defending champion Mystics and Tactix will be played at The Trusts Arena in Auckland on 27 July, starting at 4pm.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Scoop
Defensive Effort Earns Tactix Elimination Final Victory
A storming fourth quarter has propelled the VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix into their third ANZ Premiership Grand Final as they came from behind to beat Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in the Elimination Final. The Tactix kept their clean sheet at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch for the season with a 57-52 win over the Pulse on Sunday night, sending them into the Grand Final where they will meet the Mystics in Auckland in seven days. They needed to rally a huge defensive effort in the last super shot period of play as the Pulse, renowned for their accuracy with two-pointers, netted four super shots in an attempt to steal back the lead. But backed by their home crowd and some key gains from goal defence Karin Burger, the Tactix held their composure to push them through to the Grand Final – a first for new coach Donna Wilkins. It was a mix of the collective defensive pressure through the court and the growing confidence to let the ball go into Ellie Bird, over the top of the long reach of Kelly Jackson, ignited the Tactix late in the third spell and the momentum carried through to the deciding quarter as the hosts started to take control of the match. In contrast, the easy ball that had earlier gone into Pulse shooter Amelia Walmsley dried up for the visitors who found themselves facing a nine-goal deficit midway through the last spell. The Tactix had earlier sprung a surprise in their starting line-up with Burger moving out to the wing and Paris Lokotui taking her spot alongside Jane Watson in the defensive circle. But it was the familiar frontline of Holly Mather, Erikana Pedersen – playing her 100th match for the Tactix – and Te Paea Selby-Rickit at goal attack while Bird got the nod ahead of Martina Salmon at goal shooter. Missing three of their regular starters, including Parris Mason (injury), Whitney Souness and Fa'amu Ioane on the bench, the Pulse went with the experience of Gabi Simpson at centre, Maddy Gordon on the wing and Ainsleyana Puleiata at wing defence while Laura Balmer again teamed with Kelly Jackson in the defensive circle with Amelia Walmsley and Tiana Metuarau pairing up in the shooting circle. With their seasons on the line, each side kept their nerves buried scoring from their centre passes and turnovers from either side kept the scoreline even early in the stanza. Finding the tall timber at either end of the court was aim of both teams – the Tactix moving the ball quickly around the circle while the Pulse looked for the high ball into Walmsley – success coming from the two camps with the scores locked at 5-5. The Tactix' defensive unit attempted to attack the ball outside of the circle, shutting down options into Walmsley, but the quick release from Tiana Metuarau into her shooter gave the visitors the edge in a frenetic first quarter. Souness and Ioane were injected into the match, heading into the super shot period, and another gain to the Pulse gave them a 14-10 advantage at the break. Metuarau attempted her first goal of the game, and landed it, to keep her side ahead on the resumption of play but the Tactix returned to the court with intent, looking to close the four-goal buffer. The struggles up front however returned to the Tactix play, with no easy entry into the shooting circle and an intercept from Jackson gave the visitors a six-goal lead midway through the second quarter. Gordon dictated the tempo up front for the Pulse, hitting the circle edge and firing ball into Walmsley prompting a time-out from the Tactix to switch the defensive line with Burger moving to goal defence and Lokotui to the wing. Five goals remained the difference heading into the second super shot period as the Pulse brought two-point specialist Amorangi Malesala into the match, but it was the Tactix who netted the first long bomb of the game with Selby-Rickit helping to close the gap to 26-30 on the buzzer for halftime. Four quick goals to the Pulse at the start of the second half changed momentum and every goal the hosts were able to net was hard earned as the intensity increased. The midcourt defensive efforts from the Tactix brought them back into the match with two turnovers allowing the hosts to cut the deficit to just two, warming up the red-and-black fans in the stands. Patience with ball in hand was needed and the deflections started to mount for the Tactix as they levelled the scores with two minutes left in the spell, going into the turn with a 41-40 lead. The ANZ Premiership Grand Final between the defending champion Mystics and Tactix will be played at The Trusts Arena in Auckland on 27 July, starting at 4pm.
