Shooter Aliyah Dunn, with 32 goals from 35 attempts, was a key figure in the Pulse's third-place win at the Super Club tournament in Nelson today. Photo: PhotoWellington
December 13, 2019
None shone more brightly than Elle Temu after Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse sealed third place with a keenly-contested 47-45 win over the Magic at the Super Club tournament in Nelson today.
With Karin Burger leaving the tournament early for Christmas in South Africa with her family, in-circle defender Temu was given a rare start and grabbed the opportunity with both hands to deliver a player of the match performance.
Temu was a leading light, with other young guns Maddy Gordon, Tiana Metuarau and Aliyah Dunn also adding their value in helping the Pulse finish on a winning note.
In a match which ebbed and flowed, both teams produced a sterling contest to round out a tough early season week of netball, Temu with 12 deflections and four intercepts putting a satisfying stamp on the Pulse’s final outing of the year.
``It was really good and fun,’’ Temu said after her first full match for the Pulse.
``I love our girls and we’re like a big family, so I’m just proud of whoever’s on there. I love watching the team play and when I get on the court, I try and take every opportunity I can. I love the team, so it’s not about being a bench player, it’s about being part of the team.’’
Magic turned a one-goal deficit into a five-goal lead after an impressive second stanza where wing attack Ariana Cable-Dixon delivered quality ball into her shooters while in-circle defenders Holly Fowler and Georgia Tong put the squeeze on the Pulse shooters.
The introduction of young goal attack Tiana Metuarau after the main break coincided with a forceful start from the Pulse, a five-goal unanswered scoring streak getting them back on track. Metuarau injected a change of chemistry, adding subtlety and quick feeds to Dunn while Gordon continues to grow in confidence in her new role at wing attack with her explosive court coverage and speedy feeds.
The defensive unit of Temu, captain Katrina Rore and Renee Savai’inaea put the heat on Magic’s attacking line while hard-working centre Claire Kersten provided the glue around both circle edges.
Goal shoot Aliyah Dunn, with 32 goals from 35 attempts during her time on the court, revelled in the extra ball as the Pulse took a one-goal lead into the last break.
Magic provided a stiff challenge and were never out of the picture, the Pulse having to repel numerous raids in a tight final quarter before securing the spoils.