Latest news with #netball
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- General
- RNZ News
Netball: Pulse defence on display in big win in Steel territory
Pulse's Parris Mason (R) and Kelly Jackson (L) with Steel's Georgia Heffernan. Photo: Marty Melville The Pulse have the best defensive record in the ANZ Premiership and that was highlighted big time when they suffocated the Southern Steel 70-45 in Invercargill on Sunday. Playing at home in Invercargill for the first time this season, the Steel have shown promising signs in returning to their form of old but were largely outclassed. In registering their highest winning score since 2018, the Pulse dominated across the court and rocked the Steel early on. The circle defensive pairing of Kelly Jackson and Parris Mason, supported by wing defence Fa'amu Ioane and centre Maddy Gordon, stifled the Steel attacking line early. Goal shoot Aliyah Dunn has been impressive for the Steel, and sits second in the competition for goals scored. But Dunn was restricted to just 24 goals at 70 percent accuracy. A ballooning scoreline prompted a rearranged midcourt for the home side who had plenty of work in front of them when trailing 19-7 at the first break. Things blew out even more for the Steel, and they went into the main break trailing 38-19. Dunn was forced into several Super Shot attempts in an effort to close the gap but was only able to convert two out of 10. Pulse captain Kelly Jackson said they knew how dangerous Dunn could be. "We wanted to keep her ball in hand to a minimum, we know that she can really put away some big numbers so really happy with that," Jackson said. For the Pulse, Amelia Walmsley converted 50 goals from 51 attempts, to crack her second half-century of the season. Tiana Metuarau. Photo: Photosport Gordon and Whitney Souness dominated the midcourt, while play-making goal attack Tiana Metuarau's vision provided on-point long-range ball into the hands of Walmsley. Metuarau shot 15 goals, including five super shots. A third quarter revival from the Steel made things interesting with the home side winning the period 21-14. Two super shots by Georgia Heffernan and one to Dunn galvanised the Steel but Metuarau settled the visitors with a two-pointer on the buzzer. The Pulse headed into the last break with a handy 52-40 lead and then went on a 18-5 fourth quarter blitz. Jackson was pleased with every part of the court. "Everyone went out there and really nailed their own jobs and it makes it easier for everyone across the court when our roles are clear and we're executing them. When we had ball in hand we were in control and we were able to suffocate them defensively. "I think Amelia had a great game she was a great target and Tiana, and the midcourt fed them really well," Jackson said. An on-going injury ruled Steel midcourter Kate Heffernan out for a fourth straight week. The Pulse now sit second on the ladder, just behind the Tactix who have a bonus point. The Magic and Stars meet tonight in the final game of the fourth round.
News.com.au
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Super Netball round 8: Melbourne Vixens 71 d. Giants 61
The Kiera Austin-led Melbourne Vixens defied the unlikely return of a netball great and the hot shot of Matisse Letherbarrow to stage a strong fightback against the Giants and propel themselves to the edge of the top four with back-to-back wins. After regaining their mojo last week against the Queensland Firebirds, the Vixens recovered from a shaky start and a six-goal deficit in the second quarter to score a critical 71-61 win at Ken Rosewall Arena. With the spotlight on the shock comeback of 40-year-old former Silver Ferns captain Casey Kopua as an injury replacement for the Giants, the Vixens were led by an MVP performance from goal attack Austin, who finished with 22 goals from 28 attempts, including six from nine from two-point range, alongside her 33 feeds. The Vixens claimed consecutive wins for the first time this season to keep themselves within striking distance of a top four assault and have now drawn level with the fourth-placed Adelaide Thunderbirds on points, but remain just outside of the top four on percentage. The Vixens didn't take the lead in the match until early in the third quarter and managed to find momentum from there as they started to capitalise on turnover ball and stave off the sharpshooting threat of Letherbarrow, who had been on fire in the goal circle for the Giants. 'We probably started a little bit slower than what we would have wanted, but we were able to come out after halftime and hit it hard, which we should have been doing from the get-go,' Austin said. 'They are a really good super-shot threat, so I'm really proud of the defenders, I thought they stayed switched on the whole time. 'I think we probably could have rewarded them a little bit more in the first half, but we're building and it's good things to take from it and lots to look forward to for next week.' Sophie Garbin (43/51) topscored, while captain Kate Moloney and wing attack Hannah Mundy also starred in the midcourt for the Vixens, who face the Mavericks in the Melbourne derby next round. CASEY COMEBACK All eyes were on the comeback of former Silver Ferns captain Casey Kopua after the Giants pulled the biggest selection shock of the season this week. Called on to replace the injured Jodi-Ann Ward, Kopua has been retired since 2019, but was thrust straight into the action at goal keeper on Diamonds' goal shooter Sophie Garbin. Kopua showed she had lost none of her goal-circle smarts, causing trouble for the Vixens' gaolers with her long reach and ability to read the play. Kopua, whose instruction for the Giants' young defenders Erin O'Brien and Amy Sligar out the front was also invaluable, played the full 60 minutes at goal keeper. Pre-game, Giants' coach Julie Fitzgerald defended the decision to bring Kopua in as an injury replacement instead of a pathway player. 'If you look at it we are by far the youngest team in the league,' Fitzgerald said. 'I think the best thing I can do for those young pathway athletes is to put someone out there with a bit of experience and guidance who can lead them around the court a bit.' But Fitzgerald was unable to shed any light on how long the Kopua comeback would last. 'How long she will be here for is a little bit debatable at the moment,' Fitzgerald said. 'But we will see. I asked her on Tuesday, she was on a plane Wednesday and at training on Thursday, which I think is pretty incredible for a mother of three.' While the spotlight was on Kopua, it was Letherbarrow who lit up the goal circle at the other end with her long-range shooting. Letherbarrow, starting at goal shooter, was on fire during the power play period and equalled her own best of nine supershots. The 23-year-old finished with 40 from 50 for the match alongside goal attack Sophie Dwyer (10 from 12).
RNZ News
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Casey Kopua marks Diamonds shooting combo in shock netball return
Casey Kopua in her Suncorp Super Netball debut. Photo: Brendon Thorne Former Silver Fern Casey Kopua got a full game in the world's toughest netball league, six years after retiring. The Giants stunned the netball world when they announced that Kopua would join the injury depleted team for this weekend's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) game against the Melbourne Vixens in Sydney. Kopua retired from elite netball after helping the Silver Ferns win the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, when she was named MVP of the final. Apart from the odd club game in Matamata and one-off indoor netball tournaments, that's been it for Kopua in the years since. The mother of three has kept herself fit but it was an extraordinary sight seeing the 39-year-old make her debut in the world's strongest league, after that amount of time away from elite netball. Casey Kopua in the final of the 2019 World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT The Giants, who are languishing at the bottom of SSN, suffered another loss on Sunday but pushed their opponents for three quarters before the Vixens prevailed 71-61. Kopua said she was shocked to be named in the starting line-up. She played a full game at goal keep and was marking none other than the Australian Diamonds goal shoot Sophie Garbin. Vixens goal attack Kiera Austin often pairs with Garbin in the Diamonds shooting end and neither had ever played against Kopua. The Giants got off to a fast start and the Vixens feeders were wary of Kopua and her reputation as one of the greats of the game. The former Silver Ferns captain played 112 Tests for New Zealand. Kopua finished with just a couple of deflections but her presence in the circle and pressure over the shot, did put some hesitation into the minds of the Vixens. Former Magic team-mates Jo Harten (left) and Casey Kopua - reunited at the Giants. Photo: Supplied Kopua constantly talked to and encouraged young Giants goal defence Erin O'Brien. Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald coached Kopua at the Magic in the former trans-Tasman competition. Kopua also played with Giants stalwarts Jo Harten and Jamie-Lee Price at the Magic. Kopua only arrived in Sydney in the middle of the week, after Fitzgerald put out an SOS to her former player. Today's game was also the first time Kopua has played under the two-point shot rule innovation. Casey Kopua is embraced by former Australian Diamond, turned commentator Catherine Cox. Photo: Giants Instagram The Giants led 19-15 after the first quarter and held a two goal lead at half time. But the Vixens took a two goal lead at the final break and put their foot down in the final quarter. At half-time Kopua told Fox Sport that the SSN was what she expected. " …and a whole lot more, it's a lot of fun though playing with different girls and the Aussie style but just getting amongst it, it's awesome," Kopua said. She said she couldn't say no to Fitzgerald. "There's not many people I would have said yes to but I'm loving it and the girls are lovely and we're having a good time on court." It's not known yet if Kopua will stay on as a replacement player for the Giants for the rest of the season. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Australia Kelpies win Test series against England Thorns
Australia's men's netball team won the Aurora Series after dominating England Thorns in a 62-30 victory at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham to take a 2-0 series, which is the first Australia have contested in England, consists of three lost the opener 63-34 at the Copper Box Arena in London on 25 May and were well beaten in Saturday's second encounter.A dominant last two quarters by Australia sealed the success and the series, although the hosts were competitive at the first-quarter score was 12-9 in favour of the visitors and it was a similar story in the second quarter as good work by James Firminger kept England within touching distance. But Australia's Kelpies stretched their lead to 27-15 at the break and took command in the third quarter to move 47-21 men only played their first international match in 2022, while their opponents have been competing on the international stage since the that experience and quality showed as the Kelpies, led by the impressive Josh Byron, extended their lead in the fourth third and final Test will take place on Sunday at the Copper Box Arena.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Former Silver Ferns captain Casey Kopua returns to top flight netball
Casey Kopua playing against England in 2019. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Kopua has been called in as injury cover for Sydney side, the Giants for this weekend's match against the Melbourne Vixens in the Australian Super League. The 39-year-old Kopua is just three weeks shy of her 40th birthday. She retired from top flight netball in 2019 after leading New Zealand to the World Cup title. Kopua has a strong link with Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald, who coached Kopua for several seasons at the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic. Kia Ora Casey Kopua The former @SilverFernsNZ legend has signed as temporary replacement player for round eight. The move will aslo reunites Kopua with former teammates Australian international Jamie-Lee Price and England international Jo Harten, who she played alongside with at the Magic. In making the announcement the Giants said Kopua is "known for her tenacity, game smarts, and ability to lift those around her, the former world champion is expected to provide invaluable guidance to the young Giants squad." Kopua went into retirement as a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and a Netball World Cup champion but has continued to play netball in top-level mixed competitions and lower leagues. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
