Round 7 of the ANZ Premiership (ANZP) saw a game go to extra time for the first time this season, live and on demand on NetballPass*.
Here is this week’s International Player Watch:
Steel vs Magic
The first match of Round 7 was a nailbiter with extra time needed to split Steel and Magic as they sat at 51 – 51 at the end of regular time.
The teams took two quarters each, with international players standing out on both sides.
Two New Zealand defenders stole the show, with Magic’s Oceane Maihi and Steel’s Carys Stythe both making their presence known.
Maihi made two interceptions and three deflections, whilst Stythe made four interceptions and six deflections.
New Zealand Silver Fern Georgia Heffernan then stole the show in extra time for Steel as she scored the one and only Super Shot in the game at the end of the first 3 minute half.
Steel then held their nerve during the second half of extra time to take the win 56 – 53, extending their winning streak to six consecutive games.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Stars vs Tactix
The close contests didn’t finish there as Stars and Tactix then produced a very similar display, both winning two quarters each.
However, this time extra time wasn’t needed as Tactix were able to hold onto their lead until the final whistle, winning 47 – 52.
It was the second quarter that proved the difference for Tactix as they won this by seven, giving them a 23 – 29 lead at the main break.
Stars shot into the 3rd quarter, winning this 15-minute period, but Tactix ensured this was not enough for the home side to get back into it, with New Zealand’s Martina Salmon netting two-point shots when it mattered most and Holly Mather controlling the court at centre.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Mystics vs Pulse
The most commanding win of the round came from none other than the league leaders Mystics, as they beat Pulse 58 – 47.
Despite what the eventual score suggests, it wasn’t actually until the fourth quarter that Mystics were able to pull away as they won the final 15 minutes 18 – 11.
Pulse remained hot on the tails of the home side throughout, even drawing the third quarter as they went on a goal scoring spree in the final minutes, with their goal keeper Holly Comyns leading from the back, taking her game tally to one intercept and seven deflections.
However, Mystics showed their class and went into a second gear for the final 15 to win the game.
Peta Toeava was key to the victory as she commanded the centre court and was the calm to the storm, making 31 goal assists and 46 feeds as well as receiving 22 centre passes.
You can catch up on this match on NetballPass*, here.
Head to NetballPass* now to catch up on all the action ahead of Round 8 which starts on Saturday 30th 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.