Latest news with #ANZPremiershipGrandFinal
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Economic Times
Shock substitutions, last-ditch heroics & a legend's farewell: you won't believe what's happening in the ANZ Premiership Grand Final
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 27: Filda Vui of the Mystics warms up during the ANZ Premiership Grand Final match between Northern Mystics and Mainland Tactix at The Trusts Arena on July 27, 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by) Synopsis As the second half kicks off, Peta Toeava steps into the goal attack position, while Ellie Bird bids farewell in her final match for the Mainland Tactix. The Mystics are currently navigating the second quarter, but the Tactix are holding strong with a lead. Burger and Watson have successfully seized possession, and Wallam seems to be finding her rhythm. 2025 July 27, 10:26 a.m. ADVERTISEMENT Peta Toeava at goal attack as the second half begins!? 27 July 2025 10:19 A.M. With Ellie Bird, scheduled to retire from Mainland Tactix is playing her last game. 27 July 2025 10:16 AMThe Mystics are now in the second quarter and The Tactix holds a good lead. ADVERTISEMENT Burger and Watson have gained a lot of ball, and the visitors have attacked calmly. He appeared more at ease in the second quarter, Wallam. From this position, the Mystics can still win since they have the quality and can score goals fast.27 July 2025 10:14 A.M. ADVERTISEMENT The Tactix maintain a solid lead despite the Mystics settling in the second quarter. 27 July 2025 10:10 A.M. ADVERTISEMENT Wallam was hit by a Toeava bullet!27 July 2025 10:10 A.M. ADVERTISEMENT Vui fails to make a two-point try.27 July 2025 10:07 AM With the Mystics getting some momentum, the Tactix announce a time-out. Tactix is ahead 25–18.27 July 2025 10:06 AM For the Mystics, a consecutive couple.2025 July 27, 10:06 a.m. Hall receives a much-needed change.27 July 2025 10:05 A.M. When attacking, the Tactix are extremely well-managed.2025 July 27, 10:01 a.m. Sokolich-Beatson has switched to WD, and Holly has joined GD.27 July 2025 9:58 A.M. The Tactix had a 17–8 lead in the beginning, and nobody noticed! Updated at 9:59 AM on July 27, 202527 July 2025 9:54 A.M. Once more, Watson touches the ball.27 July 2025 9:54 A.M. Finally, the Mystics defenders triumph after forcing a held ball that is thrown away at the other end due to Vui's excessive pass.27 July 2025 9:51 A.M. It's super shot time.27 July 2025 9:50 A.M. Lokotui hits the shooting end with a ripper.27 July 2025 9:50 A.M. For the first time in almost five minutes, the Mystics score27 July 2025 9:49 A.M. The guidance given by Mystics coach Tia Winikerei to her attacking end is excellent. The Tactix defenders are heading for the ball, therefore they must take it hard.27 July 2025 9:48 A.M. The Mystics call a team time-out after the Tactix wins 10–4.27 July 2025 9:46 AM Burger and Watson are already on fire! Wallam is forced into a handling error by Watson.27 July 2025 9:45 A.M. Toeava loses the ball to Burger!27 July 2025 9:43 A.M. Watson deflection on the 45! Bird thanks Burger for picking up the ball, and the game's first break begins.27 July 2025 9:42 A.M. Watson and Burger come very close to a turnover once more, but fall short.27 July 2025 9:41 A.M. One-on-one, Watson has come very close to winning the ball!27 July 2025 9:41 A.M. So far, goal after goal.27 July 2025 9:40 A.M. Started at last, and the Mystics score on a centre pass.27 July 2025 9:25 A.M. The Tactix second half in the elimination final was breathtaking, according to Mystics assistant coach Rob Wright.27 July 2025 9:24 A.M. The two lineups aren't very shocking.27 July 2025 9:11 A.M. The Tactix GS Ellie Bird GA Selby-Rickit Te Paea Erikana Pedersen, WA C. Holly Mather WD Paris Lokotui Karin Burger, GD GK Watson, Jane27 July 2025 9:11 A.M. The lineup for Mystics: WD, C Tayla Earle, WA Peta Toeava, GA Filda Vui, and GS Donnell Wallam GD's Katie Te Ao Sokolich-Beatson, Michaela, GK Hall, Catherine (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
Scoop
20-07-2025
- Sport
- 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
20-07-2025
- Sport
- 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.
