Round 6 of the ANZ Premiership consisted of four more matches with Magic and Mystics playing out another one goal thriller.
International fans can rewatch all matches on NetballPass now for free!
Here is our recap which highlights some of the international players who shone in Round 6…
Stars 44 – 58 Pulse
When these teams last met in Round 3 it was Stars that claimed a 59-51 victory, but a determined Pulse side produced four consistent quarters to end their four-game losing streak.
Pulse started the game well, working the ball to the circle edge consistently allowing New Zealand’s Whitney Souness, who produced an MVP performance, an easier release into the circle
Meanwhile, in defence for Pulse, Kelly Jury was applying significant pressure with her long reach. She now sits in 2nd place on the leagues intercepts chart. At half-time Pulse led 31-19.
The intensity resumed in the second half as the Stars defensive unit struggled to break the Pulse’s attacking combinations as Pulse claimed their third victory of the season.
Magic 61 – 62 Mystics
The second match of Round 6 was a fiercely contested battle between two teams fighting towards the top of the table.
Magic started the game well with their shooting duo of Silver Ferns Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Bailey Mes finding plenty of space and converting consistently.
Magic claimed an 11-goal lead midway through the quarter however Mystics and New Zealand shooter Grace Nweke began to find her range in the final few minutes before half time as her side outscored the home team 7 – 3 to restrict Magics lead to six at the break.
Mystics had momentum going into the second half with Silver Fern Peta Toeava, who sits 3rd on the leagues feeds chart, firing in the midcourt by providing feeds into the circle whilst also showing strong defensive work.
It looked like the Mystics had the game under control after opening out a 52-47 lead early in the final quarter, but the scores were level again with just 30 seconds remaining.
A last-gasp goal from Grace Nweke was enough for the Mystics to secure the win with Nweke sitting at the top on the leagues goals scored chart.
The outcome replicated the round three result between the two teams, won 48-47 by the Mystics in extra time.
Tactix 58 – 45 Steel
The third match of Round 5 saw Tactix move into second place on the ANZ Premiership standings with a comprehensive victory over Steel.
Jane Watson, who sits 2nd on the leagues deflections chart, started her 100th game for Tactix well by restricting the scoring opportunities for Steel with her side claiming a 10 goal lead at the half-time break.
At the other end of the court for Tactix goal shooter Aliyah Dunn completed her second perfect game of the 2023 ANZ Premiership season with 40 goals from as many attempts.
The Steel continued to show fight and they got their reward by winning the last quarter by five goals but they are still searching for their first win of the season.
Magic 71 – 57 Stars
This was the second match of Round 6 for both teams, with both looking to bounce back with a strong performance after losing their first match.
Despite an even start to the match, Magic began to gain control in the second quarter with a stand-out performance from Bailey Mes who scored 54 goals from 58 attempts, which is her highest personal score so far in her ANZ Premiership career.
The start of the third quarter is where the match was won for Magic as they scored the first seven goals of the quarter, which pushed the score difference out to 17.
The Stars showed heart in the final quarter, which they won 18-14, with Maia Wilson accurate under the post with 37 from 39 (95%). Maia Wilson sits in 2nd place on leagues goals scored chart.
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