Steel just keeps rolling on with 20th straight win

The Steel extended its winning streak to 20 and booked a place in the final of the Super Club tournament with a 16-goal win against the Pulse in Nelson last night.

The ANZ Premiership champion has been invincible all season, crushing most of its opponents in some one-sided encounters. Given the Steel’s phenomenal form, the Super Club tournament shaped as a benefit week for the team.

The Pulse was able to mount some patchy resistance in the semifinal, before falling to a 70-54 loss. The game slipped away in a lopsided third quarter, in which  the Steel outscored the Pulse 19-10.

Star shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid underlined her immense value, slotting 55 attempts from 59 before being subbed in the fourth quarter.

The towering Jamaican is rumoured to be heading across the Tasman next year to play for the West Coast Fever. If she does make the move to Perth, the Steel will be left with a daunting recruitment challenge.

Defender Jane Watson is a confirmed starter for the Tactix next season, so the Steel is already on the hunt for a quality player to fill the goal keep bib.

Pulse shooter Cathrine Tuivaiti shot the perfect game, landing all 30 of her attempts.

The Mystics beat the New South Wales Institute of Sport 66-48 in the other semifinal and will play the Steel in the final tonight. Bailey Mes shone for the Auckland-based side with 45 from 49 attempts.

In the other matches, the Celtic Flames beat the Gauteng Jaguars 57-45 and the University of Trinidad and Tobago edged Marama Vou 57-56.

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