Phys Ed A scored the winning goal with just seconds left in its game against College A in the premier A competition at the Edgar Centre yesterday.
Phys Ed nabbed the win 60-61 in game two of the first double-header weekend of the season.
Both teams were aided by their Southern Blast players, as the team had a break from the National Netball League.
College also had Southern Steel shooter Kiana Pelasio, who played a full game at goal attack.
After competing for the lead the whole game, the scores were tied at 56-all with about five and a-half minutes to play. From then on it was goal-for goal.
Down by one with about two minutes left, College had the ball in hand but failed to capitalise as time ticked by.
A rebound by Phys Ed goal keeper Charlotte Hopcroft with about one minute left sent the ball down the other end of the court, but College goal keeper Abby Anderson got it back.
College scored to tie the game once again, but with just 30 seconds on the clock and Phys Ed’s centre pass ahead, it was too late.
Phys Ed goal shoot Meleitia Tatupu landed a penalty shot with mere seconds left.
Tatupu took on the bulk of the shooting, scoring 58 goals from 63 attempts at 92%.
Her team was the first to pull away at the start of the game, but College quickly levelled the score by the end of the first quarter.
College’s defence off Phys Ed’s centre pass was tight, making it difficult for the team to break through.
College pushed ahead in the second stanza, at one point leading by six goals as it gelled nicely on attack and picked up ball on defence.
Pelasio and goal shoot Harriett Cuttance worked well, creating space and passing the ball around.
Phys Ed made a few changes in the second half, which paid off as it was able to peg back a five-goal margin in just three minutes.
Wing defence Mara McCurdy was constantly disrupting College attack and picked up a handful of tips and intercepts while she was on court.
Attackers had a good connection with Tatupu and were able to feed the ball to her easily and quickly under the hoop.
Phys Ed outscored College 20-14 in the period.
Down by two at the start of the final quarter, College scored two quick goals to get back
on equal terms.
Phys Ed retaliated with four unanswered goals and, despite a spirited comeback from College, retained its lead.
Four cautions and two warnings were handed out by umpires during the game.
In other games on Sunday, Southern Magpies beat St Hilda’s senior A 50-34, Phys Ed B downed University Albion 61-40 and South Pac defeated Phys Ed C 58-49.
On Saturday, Phys Ed A beat Phys Ed B 56-45, Southern Magpies edged Phys Ed C 47-42, College A defeated St Hilda’s 55-49, and South Pac downed Uni Albion A 76-48.
