New recruit, Kristiana Manu'a had an impressive debut from goal defence in the Pulse's opening match of the season. Photo: PhotoWellington
Producing a tense second round match on Sunday, the Northern Mystics held their nerve against a fast-finishing Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse to win 66-60 at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua.
Sparked by a key second half defensive switch, the Mystics returned to the ANZ Premiership’s winners’ circle with a hard-fought victory over the home side.
The Pulse, who were ruled out of the opening round due to Covid illness, had a number of new faces in the squad including centre Erikana Pedersen who has put her retirement on hold to pull on the yellow dress. They also had a stand-in coach in Waimarama Taumaunu, who was making her first appearance with the coach’s clipboard in a domestic league since the mid-90s, sitting in for Yvette McCausland-Durie who had tested positive to Covid earlier this week.
``We knew we had our work cut out for us but I think the most disappointing thing is that a) we could have won and b) failing that, we could have got a bonus point and we didn’t get either,’’ Pulse co-captain Tiana Metuarau said afterwards.
``After a good start, we just let the Mystics get a little jump on us but you could see in the last quarter the spirit, fight and tenacity are all there.
``It was really good to blow the cobwebs out and get that first game under our belts. To score 60 goals against a fairly impressive defensive end was a good result. There is a lot of potential in our group and that’s still to be realised, so we’re looking forward to what’s ahead.’’
The Mystics were almost back to full strength with Grace Nweke returning to the shooting circle but without defender Phoenix Karaka and Fa’amu Ioane, coach Helene Wilson was forced to make a positional change with Tayla Earle filling the wing defence bib.
Both teams settled into their roles early, but it was the patience from the Pulse, coupled with a solid holding game from shooter Aliyah Dunn in the first quarter, which ensured the hosts went to the break with a slim 17-15 advantage.
Missing from the first week of play, it didn’t take long for Nweke to re-establish her crucial links with wing attack Peta Toeava and with goal attack Monica Falkner doing a fine job drawing defence out, the route into the Silver Ferns shooter came into play.
Trailing by two, the Mystics’ intensity lifted a notch on the resumption of play, netting six unanswered goals to go ahead by three only to let it slip just as quickly with the scores locked after five minutes.
Captain and goalkeeper Sulu Fitzpatrick tightened up on Dunn in the second quarter, slashing the Pulse’s shooting opportunities in half as the Mystics threatened on a number of occasions to take control.
Nothing separated the two teams at halftime (30-30) and with both sides set to play another match this round – the Pulse just 24 hours later – the question was going to be how players would be managed over the second 30 minutes without losing any punch on court.
Mystics went to the bench after the break with Carys Stythe coming on at goal defence, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson moving to the wing and Earle shifting to centre.
Earle added a new spark up front, but it was the long reach of Stythe at the other end of the court which made the biggest impact, adding some uncertainty into the Pulse feeds. An intercept from the goal defence helped the visitors open the biggest lead of the game of five goals.
The Pulse was forced to the bench late in the spell as Kristiana Manu’a limped off court, troubled by a niggle, and was replaced by Parris Mason at goal defence with just seconds left on the clock.
Trailing 41-47 with one quarter to play and conscious of a quick turnaround for the Pulse, coach Taumaunu made more changes as national netball league attacker Ainsleyana Puleiata replaced Whitney Souness on the wing. Paris Lokotui and Jazz Scott continued to share the wing defence bib.
Wilson also turned to her bench as the Mystics weathered a late push from the Pulse, needing a strong through court defensive effort to thwart the hosts’ efforts.
Shooting stats
Pulse:
Aliyah Dunn 45/49 (92%)
Tiana Metuarau 15/19 (79%)
Mystics:
Grace Nweke 49/51 (96%)
Monica Falkner 11/16 (69%)
Filda Vui 6/7 (86%)
MVP: Grace Nweke (Mystics