Round 8 was one of league upsets in the ANZ Premiership (ANZP) with Pulse and Magic picking up well needed points against higher opposition, live on NetballPass*.
Here is this week’s International Player Watch:
Magic vs Stars
Magic celebrated their first win of the season in Round 8 as they beat Stars 51 – 50 in a nail-biting clash.
The home side reaped the rewards of their patient play in the centre court during the final 15 minutes, with Georgie Edgecombe leading the way at wing defence with three interceptions and two deflections.
It was then another Silver Fern, Saviour Tui, who held her nerve to score the all important buzzer beater.
Tui shot at 95% in this game, with 37 of her 39 shots going in, whilst she also put in five goal assists and made two deflections.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Pulse vs Tactix
Magic weren’t the only team to cause a league upset this round, with 5th place Pulse doing to the same to high flying Tactix.
With Pulse no longer able to make Finals and their fate already determined for the season, they took to court to play for their pride and end a six-match losing streak.
Playing with a sense of freedom, the home side flew into the clash winning the opening two quarters to take a 24 – 20 lead into the main break.
The Pulse defensive unit gave Tactix no space to breathe with young Silver Fern Paris Mason and Australian Holly Comyns on fire.
Mason made three interceptions, two deflections and two rebounds whilst Comyns contributed an additional rebound, two interceptions and one deflection.
Tactix did fight their way back into the game in quarter three, however, Pulse held their own and ensured they did enough in the final 15 to win the game 49 – 45.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Steel vs Mystics
The final match of the round was a showstopper, with extra time needed to separate Steel and Mystics and decide who would sit in the top spot at the end of Round 8.
Going into extra time it was not clear which way the match would go, with both teams having won two quarters each with identical scores.
It was Mystics that eventually came out on top in both this match and in the league, with a dominant extra time spell which they won 9-1 seeing them beat Steel 53 – 61.
Standout international players included Silver Ferns Maia Wilson and Filda Vui, who combined seamlessly in the Mystics shooting circle and were both clinical under the post.
Wilson scored 44/47 of her shots, taking her up to 4th for goals scored this season with 213 to her name.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Head to NetballPass* now to catch up on all the action ahead of Round 9 which starts on Saturday 6th June.
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.