Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v Central Pulse   24 May 2016

Official Result: Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel (67) def Central Pulse (63)

Media Release
Monday 23 May, 2016

Official Result & Statistics
Official Result: Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel (67) def Central Pulse (63)
Coach Noeline Taurua triumphs in her 99th ANZ Championship match
Jhaniele Fowler Reid shoots 96% - 54 from 55
The Pulse give one of their best team performances of the season
Shaking off a week’s worth of cobwebs, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel strengthened their hold on top spot in the New Zealand Conference with a 67-63 victory over the Central Pulse in Wellington.

The Steel, coming fresh from a bye, were understandably a little rusty in patches. And they had to contend with an invigorated Pulse side, who put up a compelling fight – trailing by just one at all three breaks.

The difference ultimately came down to the Steel’s patience – and another outstanding shooting performance from Jhaniele Fowler Reid.

While Fowler-Reid was on fire, popping in 54 from 56, a lot of the credit had to go to her off-sider, Te Paea Selby-Rickit. The goal attack’s vision and precision dropping feeds in to Fowler-Reid was blinding.

The Steel held a slight advantage for much of the first quarter. In spite of the dogged defence of Pulse goal keep Phoenix Karaka, Fowler-Reid popped in 16 from 16.

The Pulse picked up the intensity towards end of the quarter, and perfect shooting from Maia Wilson and Ameliaranne Wells, who comfortably shared the duties, ensured they kept in touch and trailed 18-17 at the break.

After shuffling their defence, the Pulse began to rattle the Steel attack and by remaining patient, leapt out to a four-goal lead. But the pendulum swung back, and with Jane Watson and Storm Purvis putting the blowtorch on the Pulse shooters, the Steel reclaimed the lead just before halftime to lead 33-32.

The third quarter was a classic see-saw battle for supremacy, that neither team dominated. The Steel scored three in a row from the first whistle, but the Pulse reeled them in again. Cheeky intercepts from Watson and Purvis helped the Steel out to five, but some misunderstanding in the visitors’ communication brought it back to one, where it remained at three-quarter time.

Just when it looked like the Pulse’s momentum would propel them back into the lead, Steel captain Wendy Frew took control and calmed down her side, resetting their attack, and re-establishing a lead of five.

While Fowler-Reid got kudos, the opposing shooters also put on a stellar display – both Wilson and Wells shooting with 93 percent accuracy.

Pulse Shooting Statistics
Maia Wilson 37/40 (93%)
Ameliaranne Wells 26/28 (93%)

Steel Shooting Statistics
Jhaniele Fowler-Reid 54/56 (96%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit 13/21 (62%)

MVP: Gina Crampton (Steel)

ENDS

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