Caption: Young shooter Phoenix Schwalger was a strong presence when making her Pulse debut. Photo: Masanori Udagawa
Hampered by injuries, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse gave a hint to the future with a number of their rising young talent getting opportunities in the side’s final match of the season against the Stars in Auckland on Saturday.
That included game time for shooter Phoenix Schwalger, who had a fine debut, finishing with 15 from 17 shots during her time on court, and young Fo’i Lemana getting the start at wing defence following a disjointed season for the Pulse.
With both sides wanting to finish their respective seasons on a high, it was the Stars who prevailed with a well-crafted 59-49 win over the Pulse in what has been a largely disappointing season for both.
The Stars, highly-touted to contest the Series Finals (top three) at the beginning of the season, wrapped up fourth spot after pulling out decisive first and third quarters in the final outing of the year for both teams.
With the Stars leading throughout, it took until the third quarter to reach a position of comfort after a re-jigged Pulse competed gamely against a more seasoned opposition through the second and fourth quarters.
The strong delivery provided by the midcourt pairing of Samon Nathan and Claire O’Brien, the relentless defensive efforts of Kate Burley and Aimee Landrigan coupled with the accuracy of shooters Amelia Walmsley, 41 from 41 for the match and Martina Salmon, gave the Stars the edge throughout.
Both sides were without their regular centres for this match, with the Stars Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and the Pulse’s Emma Thompson nursing injuries. The experienced Nathan got the start in the centre bib for the home side with Ainsleyana Puleiata moving up court to fill that spot for the Pulse.
The Stars made their customary fast start, quick and accurate feeds from midcourters Nathan and O’Brien getting a steady stream of quality ball into the hands of well-positioned shooter Walmsley.
Hamstrung by their unfamiliar midcourt, the Pulse struggled with their second phase play and the Stars defensive pressure to find any flow. After a messy passage from both sides, the Stars picked up their intent with a strong finish, the Pulse using three different goal shoots in a bid to find some fluency.
It proved fruitless as the Stars headed to the first break with a handy 18-11 lead.
Scoring the first two goals on the resumption helped the Pulse rebound with a competitive showing in the second stanza. The second quarter has proved a problem for the Stars throughout the season and it was in evidence again.
With goal shoot Schwalger making a great fist of her ANZ Premiership debut and better defensive pressure, the Pulse were able to claw their way back into the contest. The Stars retained their overall control but with their opponents getting their hands on more possession, the home side were kept honest.
Showing more accuracy in the shooting stakes, where the growing shooter-to-shooter connection between Walmsley and Salmon was in evidence, helped the home side hit the main break with a reduced 30-25 lead.
On the back of a forceful 7-2 start to the third quarter, the Stars regained their control of the match. The combined defensive work of in-circle pairing Burley and Landrigan, who were a busy presence, putting the Pulse shooters under big pressure.
Through court, the home side re-found their attacking groove with improved accuracy, where Nathan and O’Brien were the instigators of a dominant third stanza. Walmsley proved an unstoppable force under the hoop through her positioning, sure hands and accuracy, completing a perfect 31 from 31 for the first three-quarters.
Continuing to rotate their line-up, plenty of patience was required from a Pulse side under constant surveillance while sliding to a 46-35 deficit at the last turn.