Latest news with #EliminationFinal
Scoop
5 days ago
- 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.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Heady Rise For Young Pulse Defender
On the brink of playing in the Elimination Final, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse defender Laura Balmer is still taking stock of her short but adventurous introduction to life in the ANZ Premiership netball league. The Pulse take on the Tactix in Christchurch on Sunday evening to decide who will meet the Northern Mystics in the league's Grand Final, a week later. Sailing close to the wind at times to get to this position, the Pulse have another big challenge in store against a seasoned Tactix side, who remain unbeaten at home this campaign and have remained largely injury-free. The pair has met twice this season with a win apiece. ``Our last three games have kind of been do-or-die so we're not strangers to that situation, we know how to come together and win each moment,'' Balmer said. ``You can't go into it thinking who won what, it's a complete clean slate. Our focus is, respect your opposition, do all the game prep and analysis to the best of our ability, and go in with our game faces on.'' Hoping to nail a spot in the NZ U21 team to contest the World Youth Cup in September, it has been a whirlwind seven months for Balmer, 21, who at the beginning of the year expected to be playing for the Southern Blast in the National Netball League (NNL) and continuing her medical studies in Dunedin. It was a pinch-me-moment when she was drafted into the Pulse as a replacement player ahead of the season, her life taking a completely different turn and which, subsequently, has included many more pinch-me-moments. In the wake of injury to Parris Mason, that included her first start last weekend in the largely unfamiliar position of goal defence, the match won in dramatic fashion by the Pulse with a last-gasp super shot against the Magic. ``I did not get much sleep the night before but it was so exciting,'' she said. ``I was very nervous, especially coming up against Ameliaranne (Ekenasio) who I've grown up watching but it was so cool. It was such a team effort and they all backed me to do my job, so I just went on confident but nervous. ``It's been a hectic ride but it's just been amazing. Obviously, I was apprehensive moving to Wellington because I just didn't know what to expect. I was excited but I thought it could go terribly. But I have just loved it. The coaching, the city, the team……I think the team culture here is just amazing. ``I'm very much a family person and coming here, you just automatically get a family in your team and that's been fantastic. There's been lots of learnings, lots of steep learning curves but everyone's very supportive and encouraging, so it's been a fun journey.'' Having switched from playing in the NNL, where netball is fitted in around work or study, to full immersion and the expectations of what's required at ANZ Premiership level, Balmer is living the dream. ``Coming into the ANZ Premiership, everything is about performance and netball, so that's what your sole focus is and you're paid to do it,'' she said. ``It has just exceeded all my expectations. It's like being with a fun group of people all day every day playing the sport you love.'' Due to illness and injury, the Pulse have had to dig deep into their resource well at various times which has meant tinkering with line-ups and some players covering several positions, including the invaluable contribution Gabi Simpson has provided the team. Dropping her life in Brisbane to accommodate the Pulse in their hour of need, the former Diamond has gained universal admiration for her professionalism and adaptability, seamlessly stepping into goal defence and centre, positions she has not played much of at the elite level, and her more familiar wing defence role. ``I could literally talk on Gabi all day,'' Balmer said. ``I have so much respect for her. She can play pretty much any position you put her in and also she's just one of the wisest people that I've met. ``We do lots of coffee dates where I just question her all the time. She is so respected in this group because she just brings such knowledge and wisdom but is so humble with it. She's always very team focused and will do anything for the team, and is such a selfless player.''
Scoop
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Mystics March Into Grand Final After Outclassing Tactix
The Northern Mystics have been crowned Minor Premiers and will host the Grand Final in two weeks after delivering a comprehensive 70-56 win over VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix in Auckland on Sunday. The Tactix will return home to Christchurch to face Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in next Sunday's Elimination Final with plenty to ponder after being outclassed across the board by a slick Mystics side who showed few deficiencies. Meeting in the final round of the regular season set the perfect scenario with the No 1 Mystics and No 2 Tactix squaring off to decide hosting rights for the Grand Final. Needing to win by six or more to have the opportunity to host the Grand Final in Christchurch, the Tactix fell well short. Snatching the opening turnover from the Tactix first pass, the Mystics didn't take another backward glance as they powered away, turning on the quality and leading from start to finish while leaving the southerners in their wake. Losing their first clash by nine goals in Round 4 without the services of an injured Donnell Wallam, the prolific shooter was back for the re-match between the two form teams of the league and played a prominent role in nailing 57 goals. With both teams at full-strength, the Mystics showed their depth of quality. Breaking the first centre pass set the Mystics on their way to holding the edge through the opening quarter where rising young defender Catherine Hall stamped her mark early. Showing her excellent footwork and hands, Hall was responsible for five gains at the defensive end where at the other end, Wallam was equally influential under the hoop. Struggling to contain the 1.93m height of Wallam, the Tactix defensive pairing of Karin Burger and Jane Watson came into their own late in the piece with some strong bustling play and turnover opportunities. The Mystics finished an entertaining and high-scoring first quarter with their noses in front when leading 18-14. The home side burst into dominating mode during the second quarter, the accumulated defensive pressure applied by Tayla Earle, Katie Te Ao, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson and Hall suffocating the Tactix options while forcing panicky play. That provided front-foot ball for the Mystics attackers, with Peta Toeava coming into her own after being well-contained in the first quarter, resulting in the tall figure of Wallam looming large and reigning supreme under the hoop. With the Mystics going on a 12-4 run, the Tactix hand was forced with a tactical timeout called by the visitors and subsequent changes with shooter Martina Salmon and midcourter Parris Petera being injected. Trailing by 12 at one stage, the Tactix responded, taking small steps at chipping into the deficit but still had work to do when staring down a 37-29 advantage to the Mystics at the main break. Anchored by their rocks at either end of the court, the Mystics extended their dominance during a withering third stanza. Flush with options, the introduction of Holly Rae at goal defence didn't nothing to detract from the Mystics mastery across all facets of play. The Tactix had few answers to breaching the home side's water-tight defensive unit while also being powerless against the rock-solid Wallam and the Australian import's impact under the hoop. While she missed a few shots, Wallam invariably got the rebound as the Mystics stretched their advantage to double digits. Needing super shots to get back into the contest, the Tactix couldn't find any reward from double-point range, left well on the back foot when trailing 54-39 at the last turn.
Scoop
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Pulse Seal Third Spot With Last-Gasp Win
12 July 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.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pennock's brace wins Mariners ALW eliminator
A double to English forward Jade Pennock has helped the Central Coast Mariners overcome an historic goal from Canberra's Michelle Heyman for a 2-1 home win in the A League Women second elimInation final. Central Coast booked a two-leg semi-final against Melbourne City, with the first match to be played in Gosford on Saturday afternoon. Monday night's match at Gosford's Industree Group Stadium was pushed back from Sunday after a waterlogged pitch made the surface unplayable. Central Coast had more than 60 per cent possession in each half, but Canberra looked more threatening on the counter attack In the first 45 minutes. Matildas stalwart Heyman opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, arrowing a fine shot into the net after out-muscling Mariners captain Taren King, who was playing her first match of the season after a knee reconstruction. WOW! ONE OF THE FINEST NINJA A-LEAGUE GOALS YOU'LL SEE 🤯🔥Jade Pennock whips in an absolute stunner to complete her double in the Elimination Final. Pure class 👏📺 Watch #CCMvCBR live NOW on Paramount+ or 10 Play. — Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) April 28, 2025 Heyman, who turns 37 in July, boosted her team-leading goal tally for the season to eight and became the oldest player to score in an ALW finals game. It took the Mariners just 22 seconds of the second half to equalise A Tiana Fuller cross to the far post was headed across goal by Annabel Martin for the centrally positioned Pennock to fire home. "Good on them to come out firing. We knew they were going to, but we were just hoping it wasn't that quick," Heyman told Paramount Plus and 10 Bold. Canberra were not as dangerous after halftime and Pennock settled the game with a sumptuous 74th minute strike, rifling a right foot shot from the edge of the penalty area past United goalkeeper Sally James. Pennock had scored just five goals from 71 shots before Monday's game. "I was disappointed in the last game. I had a few chances that I think I should have scored and I didn't put away, so I've worked hard all week in training," Pennock said. The Mariners have made the semi-finals in each of their first two season back In the competition. They will play unbeaten minor premiers Melbourne City at home on Saturday In the first leg of their semi. One big watch for the Mariners is Taylor Ray, who hobbled off with a knee injury shortly before the end.
