Round 6 of the ANZ Premiership (ANZP) took place this weekend with Tactix and Steel both keeping their Finals Series hopes alive with key wins.
International fans can catch up on all the matches on NetballPass*, here.
Here is this week’s International Player Watch:
Tactix vs Magic
It was top vs bottom in the first match of Round 6 of the ANZP, as Tactix hosted Magic at the new Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre.
Tactix were looking to make it 10 straight home wins, whilst Magic were still searching for their first victory of the season.
The top of the table team dominated from the first whistle, utilising their full squad of 10 as they beat Magic 58 – 37.
The 10 that took to court included Silver Fern Gina Crampton, as she played in her first ANZP match in three years.
Crampton came on in the 3rd quarter and made six goal assists and received six centre passes during her short period on court.
Another international player that impressed was Australian Charlie Bell as she shot at 100%, scoring all 27 of her shots.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Mystics vs Stars
Next up, we had a middle of the table cross-town clash between Mystics and Stars.
Both teams came into this one on the hunt for the 3rd place position in the table, and it was Stars that shot into the first quarter taking an early 5 goal lead.
However, Mystics bounced back in quarter two with Peta Toeava leading the way in mid court as she made 31 goal assists, more than any other player that took to court that game, and Charlotte Manley dominating in defence as she made two interceptions and 7 deflections.
Mystics won the second quarter 20 – 8, allowing them to go into the main break with a 31 – 24 lead.
Stars found their spark again in the penultimate quarter, and a comeback looked as if it could be on the cards, but in the end the task at hand proved too hard as Mystics won 57 – 51.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Pulse vs Steel
Steel continued to show their strength in Round 6 as they made it five straight wins, keeping their Finals Series hopes alive, as they beat Pulse 43 – 52.
It was a very close contest with the visitors only winning by 4 at half time, a lead which they managed to extend to 9 at the final break after a strong penultimate quarter.
The Steel Silver Fern shooting circle made up of Aliyah Dunn and Georgia Heffernan was a joy to watch as Dunn shot at 100% scoring all 34 of her shots and Heffernan shot at 82% whilst also making seven goal assists.
Pulse put the pressure back on in the final 15 minutes and errors began to creep into the game for Steel, however, a couple of rebounds from Carys Stythe settled the visitors and allowed them to re-extend their lead, eventually winning by nine.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Head to NetballPass* now to catch up on all the action ahead of Round 7 which starts on Saturday 23rd May.
To view all the fixtures, results, where to watch information and more visit our ANZP page, here.
*Restrictions are in place – viewers in New Zealand should head to TVNZ to watch the matches live and on demand.