Encouraging Signs For Pulse Defender
Mason was wheel-chaired off the court in some discomfort during the Pulse's ANZ Premiership netball league match against the Stars in Wellington on Saturday. Further updates on Mason's progress will be provided when available.
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Scoop
18 hours ago
- Scoop
Encouraging Signs For Pulse Defender
Following a heavy fall, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse defender Parris Mason has had initial scans which are promising but will require further investigation this week to confirm return to play expectations. Mason was wheel-chaired off the court in some discomfort during the Pulse's ANZ Premiership netball league match against the Stars in Wellington on Saturday. Further updates on Mason's progress will be provided when available.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Mystics get up as game slips away from Steel
The Northern Mystics hung on to beat the Southern Steel 56-52 in Auckland last night. It was a gutting end for the Steel — who grabbed a bonus point — in what was a must-win encounter for their playoff hopes. Down 43-40 heading into the final quarter, the Steel fought back and led by two heading into the final five minutes. But the hot hand of Mystics goal attack Filda Vui struck twice in the two-point zone to swing the momentum to the home side and secure the victory. It was a scrappy game from both teams. Their timing was out which made it difficult and often there was one option to the ball. Both teams were guilty of costly turnovers — the Steel finishing with 25 turnovers to the Mystics' 23 — and misplaced passes hurt. Mystics goal keep Catherine Hall, having somewhat of a breakout season, and Aliyah Dunn had a battle under the post. Dunn stood tall to finish 38 from 38 in the one-point zone, while Hall had 10 deflections. Earlier, Peta Toeava was given too much room on the feed. The wing attack hardly landed before she was letting it go into Donnell Wallam. Kimiora Poi had a good tussle with Michaela Sokolich-Beatson in the midcourt. The Steel wing attack did a lot of work to get herself prime space on the circle edge and Beatson never gave an inch. Carys Stythe — playing her 50th game — snapped up a deflection as she has done all season. Poi's sister, Ashleigh, made her Steel debut taking over from centurion Kate Heffernan, who is still coming back from injury. Vui nailed a two-pointer late to lead 16-12 at the break. The Steel were hungry on defence sitting in a box zone to push the Mystics wide and force the turnovers. They went on a four goal run and closed the gap to one. Both teams were guilty of being hesitant with the ball through court and there were countless misplaced passes. Stythe, who finished with six gain, punched through the top to steal the ball and Dunn finished it off. The Mystics struggled to do the work off the ball, which forced their attackers to fire in wayward balls off the circle edge. It helped the Steel level the score — but they too were guilty of easy turnovers. The Mystics adjusted their timing and found the openings easier to re-gain a four-point lead. They disrupted through court and used their ball speed to lead 30-24 at halftime. Wallam made her mark in the third quarter. She became more of a presence in the circle and the Mystics attackers used the depth of the pockets to find her. The Steel were down 41-34 when Dunn nailed their first two-pointer of the game to scrape back. The Steel's through court defence stepped up, forcing a held ball and it swung the momentum. Grace Namana — who was contracted to the Steel last year and filled in for Summer Temu who was sidelined — came on for Georgia Heffernan late in the third quarter. The Steel won the quarter 16-13 and trailed 43-40 at the break. ANZ Premiership The scores Northern Mystics 56 Donnell Wallam 45 (45/51) Filda Vui 11 (8/10) Southern Steel 52 Aliyah Dunn 38 (38/39), Georgia Heffernan 11 (10/13), Grace Namana 3 (3/4) Quarter scores: Mystics 16-12, 30-24, 43-40.
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Late Super Shots Help Mystics Squeeze Past Steel
Two vital super shots helped the Northern Mystics grab a tense 56-52 win in a momentum-swinging spectacle against a gallant Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in front of a sold-out crowd in Auckland on Sunday. Both teams had everything to play for, with the Mystics chasing the hosting rights for the Grand Final and the Steel chasing a spot in the Series Finals, the tense atmosphere sitting heavily throughout. Both coaches called tactical timeouts during the final five minutes after the Steel, showing all their renowned spirit and grit, turned a three-goal three-quarter time deficit into a one-goal lead with just over five minutes to play. The Mystics timeout worked in their favour, with their efforts to limit penalties and retain the ball paying dividends, while super shot specialist Filda Vui stepped up in the heat of the moment to calmly nail two double-pointers. With time running out, the Steel lost any opportunity with panicky play as they desperately sought a miracle change in fortunes but deservedly came away with a bonus point. With their season hanging, the Steel also had milestone celebrations to add to the mix with midcourter Kate Heffernan lining up for 100th national league match and Carys Stythe her 50th. Umpire Cory Nicholls added to the game's special moments when taking charge of his 50th ANZ Premiership match. In an exciting opening, the lead changed hands several times, both teams taking time to settle into the match where defence played a big part. The Mystics all-smothering unit defence proved effective while the Steel employed a zone defence which was as equally valuable. Respective rising young goalkeepers Catherine Hall, for the home side, and Stythe picked off the spoils as both sides traded turnovers. A late rally, iced by a super shot with five seconds remaining gave the Mystics a 16-12 buffer at the first break. The second stanza followed a similar trend, the Steel getting off to the best of starts before being reeled in by the home side. The visitors did a terrific job of shutting down the Mystics attacking options to force the hosts into error while eating into the deficit early in the piece. On the other hand, the Steel showed resolute patience on attack with Georgia Heffernan and Dunn all composure under the hoop before momentum swung the other way. With the Steel momentarily hitting the lead, the introduction of Katie Te Ao at centre for the Mystics and the defensive work of Hall, Holly Rae and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson helped turn the tide. Te Ao and Peta Toeava found their connections with strike shooter Donnell Wallam in building an impressive attacking unit while continued pressure at the other end put the squeeze on the Steel. Enjoying more possession, the Mystics finished with a strong surge to build a 30-24 lead at the main break. With both sides taking great care of their possession, the pair traded goals through the opening five minutes of the third stanza. Wallam, who at times was unstoppable and finishing with the striking figures of 45 from 49, remained the steadying rock under the Mystics hoop but the Steel were far from done in delivering a threatening response. Showing creativity on attack and defensive ability to create turnover opportunities, momentum once again took another swing. With a big lift in energy after denying the Mystics in the attacking third and picking off valuable ball, through Kimiora Poi, Renee Savai'inaea, Abby Lawson and Stythe, the southerners cut into the deficit. The ice-cool Dunn, who delivered an impressive 38 from 38 return from the match, played the perfect role in the Steel circle with her poise, positioning and pin-point accuracy as the Steel went on to win the quarter 16-13. That left the match delicately-poised and up for grabs when the Mystics led 43-40 at the last turn.
