Retaining their clean sheet, Collingwood Magpies clinched the 2019 Super Club title with a hard-fought 49-42 win over
the Northern Mystics in Nelson on Friday.
In a thrilling contest where the lead changed hands several times, the Magpies won each of the first three quarters by a
solitary goal before constant pressure paid dividends in the final quarter.
Both defensive ends played forceful roles with classy Magpies defender Geva Mentor securing three intercepts and the
Mystics’ Phoenix Karaka, four. But it was just as much a battle of the goal shoots where Jamaican import Shimona Nelson
(Magpies) and Mystics schoolgirl Grace Nweke shone under their respective hoops.
However, it was the slight figure of veteran campaigner Natalie Medhurst who proved the difference with her court craft,
option-taking and 17 goal return from 18 attempts, resulting in the Super Club trophy heading offshore for the first
time.
Denied the opportunity to defend their title, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse sealed third place this year following an
entertaining 47-45 win over Splice Construction WBOP Magic.
In a match which ebbed and flowed with one team gaining the edge before the other bounced back in a willing and vibrant
contest.
Magic turned a one-goal deficit into a five-goal lead after an impressive second stanza where wing attack Ariana
Cable-Dixon delivered quality ball into her shooters while in-circle defenders Holly Fowler and Georgia Tong put the
squeeze on the Pulse shooters.
The introduction of young goal attack Tiana Metuarau after the main break coincided with a forceful start from the
Pulse, a five-goal unanswered scoring streak getting them back on track.
With 12 deflections and four intercepts for the match, defender Elle Temu completed a fine outing as the Pulse repelled
numerous Magic challenges in a tight final quarter to secure the spoils.
In the southern derby match-up to decide fifth placing, Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel prevailed 50-45 over The Good
Oil Tactix in a see-sawing contest.
Steel started with a bang, slick through-court transition giving them a slight edge but Tactix remained handily-placed
through their greater shooter accuracy.
Defenders Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Taneisha Fifita put the heat on the Tactix shooters to give the Steel second
quarter momentum. However, a late surge by the Tactix ensured their deficit remained at just three heading into the main
break.
Both teams struggled with their shooting accuracy but it was the introduction of Kimiora Poi who added extra impetus for
the Tactix, who enjoyed their most rewarding passages through the third stanza to pinch a one-goal lead heading into the
last break.
The finishing touches eluded the Tactix in the run home, the stubborn Steel wearing their opponents down through
constant pressure to finally get the upper hand.
The Northern Stars secured their first win of the tournament, clinching seventh place in the process, with a
well-constructed 52-41 win over Wasps (England).
The Stars pushed on from a first quarter four-goal lead with a match-defining second stanza. The exploits of defensive
trio Fa’amu Ioane, Kate Burley and Nanise Waqaira and fine feeding into the goal circle by Mila Reuelu-Buchanan helped
tip the scales in the Stars’ favour as the Wasps coughed up too many turnovers.
With more ball in their hands, the Stars gained traction on the scoreboard to build a healthy advantage at the main
break.
With the long travel involved and only having a squad of 10, the Wasps showed their character with a mini third quarter
revival, wing attack Beth Dix and ever-reliable shooter Rachel Dunn having a strong presence.
But the Stars put paid to any thoughts of a Wasps comeback with a confident fourth quarter finish, Burley having a fine
day at the office after securing four intercepts and five deflections.
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2019 Super Club - Finals Day Results
View stats for all games through our Match Centre
Grand Final - Collingwood defeated Mystics 49-42
Collingwood: Shimona Nelson 32/37 (86%), Nat Medhurst 17/18 (94%)
Mystics: Grace Nweke 30/33 (91%), Bailey Mes 7/10 (70%), Saviour Tui 5/7 (71%)
Jens Hansen Player of the Match: Natalie Medhurst
3rd/4th Playoff - Pulse defeated Magic 47-45
Pulse: Aliyah Dunn 32/35 (91%), Ameliaranne Ekenasio 11/13 (85%), Tiana Metuarau 4/4 (100%)
Magic: Kelsey McPhee 31/40 (76%), Georgia Marshall 10/11 (91%), Abigail Latu-Meafou 4/7 (57%)
Jens Hansen Player of the Match: Elle Temu
5th/6th Playoff - Steel defeated Tactix 50-45
Steel: Jennifer O'Connell 38/51 (75%), Kalifa McCollin 9/11 (82%), Georgia Heffernan 3/6 (50%),
Kiana Pelasio 0/3 (0%)
Tactix: Ellie Bird 31/36 (86%), Te Paea Selby-Rickit 10/15 (67%), Hannah Glen 4/7 (57%)
Jens Hansen Player of the Match: Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit
7th/8th Playoff - Stars defeated Wasps 52-41
Stars: Maia Wilson 33/43 (77%), Jamie Hume 15/18 (83%), Vika Koloto 4/6 (67%)
Wasps: Rachel Dunn 28/32 (88%), Katie Harris 12/14 (86%), Tamsin Moala 1/2 (50%)
Jens Hansen Player of the Match: Lisa Mather