Three teams; Magic, Stars and Steel, went into the third round of the ANZ Premiership (ANZP) still searching for their first league win of the season, and with two of the teams, Magic and Stars, playing each other it proved a crucial time to pick up points.
In a close encounter, live on NetballPass, it was the defence that proved the difference with Magic able to capitalise on their turnovers to take a marginal 52-49 victory.
New Zealanders Georgia Takarangi and Georgie Edgecombe were crucial to the win as they made 10 gains and seven interceptions between them. That was more interceptions than the entire Stars team managed in the game.
Stars weren’t the only team still left searching for a victory after Round 3 though, Steel also still weren’t strong enough as they fell to the hands of table toppers Pulse.
Steel did take the contest to Pulse, and the game remained tight for the opening half, however Pulse did not miss a beat in the penultimate quarter winning that 15 minute period 17-8, setting themselves up for their third successive victory.
Once again, it was the defence that proved the difference in this clash with Silver Fern Kelly Jackson formidable for Pulse at goal keeper as she made six deflections, four gains and three rebounds. This puts Jackson top of the defalcations charts.
Finally, the international Netball Family were treated to a battle between two of the league’s unbeaten sides: Mystics and Tactix.
It was the home side, powered on by their fans, that got off to a stronger start winning the first quarter 18-14, however the Tactix just seemed to grow into the game constantly adapting to what was in front of them and eventually winning the final two quarters and the game.
Sticking with the theme of defence, South African born Silver Fern, Karin Burger, put on a masterclass at goal keeper for the away side making four gains and six deflections, and really steering her team from the back.
Tactix victory means they now sit second in the league, behind the only other unbeaten team Pulse, on goal difference. The two teams will face each other in Round 5.
You can catch up on all this weekend’s ANZP games on NetballPass now.
Next up, in Round 4 of the ANZP the Netball Family will be treated too:
- Steel vs Stars
- Mystics vs Pulse
- Magic vs Tactix
To view all the results, the current table, and read our International Player Watch preview, visit our ANZP page now.