The fifth round of the ANZ Premiership (ANZP) featured three close matches that left fans watching on NetballPass in suspense.
The most anticipated match of the ANZP season so far pitted two undefeated teams in the league, Pulse and Tactics, against each other at the Fly Palmy Arena.
The game was very low-scoring, with Pulse’s Silver Fern Kelly Jackson scoring 12 points to give her team the win, and the focus was on the defense.
Fellow Silver Ferns Karin Berger and Jane Watson also looked strong for the Tactics, but the Puls won all four quarters by close margins to win 36-30 and remain the only undefeated team in the league. It didn’t suit their team. This season.
But it wasn’t the closest game of the round, with the Stars and Mystics separated by just five goals at full time.
The Mystics used a late surge to win by three goals in the final quarter and take the lead at 51-56.
Once again, it was the Silver Fern defenders who made the difference, with Phoenix Karaka making three interceptions and making six gains, which played a crucial role in his team’s narrow victory.
The largest margin of victory in Game 5 was still just nine goals, and it came in a game between the Magic and Steel.
Similar to the Stars vs. Mystics game, this game also featured a strong final quarter performance from the Magic that turned the score in their favor at the full-time whistle.
The Magic were outscored 16-7 in the final 15 minutes, continuing their theme of outstanding defensive performance, with Elena Mikaele and Oceanu Maihi both key in the win, scoring 13 points and scoring 14 points.
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