Southern Steel's Megan Dehn, right and Firebirds Claire
McMeniman in the Southern Steel pre-season tournament at
the Queenstown Events Centre. Credit:NZPA / Dianne Manson
The Southern Steel squandered a 12-goal lead and just
scraped home with a 50-50 draw against the Queensland Firebirds
at their pre-season netball tournament in Queenstown tonight.
The hosts' cause was not helped by experienced shooters
Daneka Wipiiti and Megan Dehn both leaving the court nursing
injuries.
The Steel stormed out of the blocks, racking up a healthy
18-9 lead after the first quarter.
A feisty defensive effort from the Steel denied the Firebirds
possession and they struggled to feed shooting maestro
Romelda Aiken as a result.
The dynamic display from the home team was marred by the loss
of Wipiiti following a nasty blow to her ribs.
Staring at a 12-goal deficit, the Firebirds switched into
gear and slotted nine in a row to sneak back within three,
the formidable defensive pairing of Amy Steel and Clare
McMeniman having an impact.
Ahead 29-25 at halftime, the Steel maintained the advantage
heading into the final stanza.
But the loss of Dehn with seven minutes remaining was costly
and the Firebirds pounced, with Aiken evening the scoreline
in the final seconds.
The Steel earlier beat the Central Pulse 64-53, after leading
32-26 at halftime and 47-42 heading into the last quarter.
While the Pulse ventured back within five, the home team were
never in danger.
Wipiiti was a standout, nailing 49 of her 52 attempts.
The Northern Mystics came frustratingly close to toppling the
Firebirds earlier in the day.
After leading 15-14, the Mystics were on the back foot 27-30
heading into the second half and, despite a gutsy effort,
narrowly lost 61-62.
Traditionally a shooter, Kayla Cullen showed considerable
potential in the defensive ranks alongside import Althea
Byfield, who proved a worthy opponent for shooting maestro
and Jamaican team-mate Aiken.
Life didn't improve for the Mystics, later losing 42-60 to
the Canterbury Tactix.
Predicated by many to earn the ANZ Championship wooden spoon
this season, the Tactix enjoyed a successful day, also
dominating the Australian Institute of Sport 57-43 after
leading 28-18 at halftime.
The Pulse later demolished the Australian youngsters 65-33.
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