Invitational Haier Central Pulse v Surrey Storm

Invitational Haier Central Pulse v Surrey Storm

World Premier Club Challenge, Glasgow

MATCH REPORT

28.11.12

The Haier Pulse dominated the Surrey Storm in their first match of the 2012 World Premier Club Challenge (WPCC), beginning their campaign in glorious fashion.

The New Zealand team showed their class and flair on both defence and attack, causing some panic and struggle in the Surrey team’s game.

Simply outplaying the Storm, the Pulse proved to be a tight unit working well together throughout the court, dominating the opposition 79–38.

Shooter Caitlin Thwaites had an outstanding game, oozing confidence whilst effortlessly slotting goals from any position in the circle. She was aided by a stellar performance from wing attack Liana Leota who took the court with speed and agility, sending Thwaites many a long ball that the Storm defence were completely unable to combat.

It didn’t take long for the Pulse to show their talent as they controlled the Storm’s attacking circle. Their fierce defence and multiple intercepts, converted by Thwaites and Bellringer, saw the away team take an early 8–2 lead.

Both teams heaved long balls throughout the court, however the Storm were more panicked and the passes were not meeting their targets. The Pulse’s strong zone defensive tactic was unfamiliar territory for the Storm and their midcourt struggled to compensate, giving away a lot of easy turnovers.

The end of the first quarter saw the Pulse continue to play fluidly. The Storm were occasionally able to break through their opponent’s defence with some quick thinking and passing between shooter Ash Neal and wing attack Sophie Morgan. Unfortunately the shooters could not capitalise on these opportunities, the team trailing 21-8 at quarter-time.

The Pulse continued to execute an extremely high work rate, which was especially demonstrated by midcourt duo Leota and Mackle whose speed and volatility weaved through the Storm’s defence.

At the other end of the court, Pulse newcomer Claire Kirsten and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickett made life easy for their team-mates, snatching up the Storm’s failed attempts at long range passes.

Changes into the second half saw Victoria Smith take the court at GK, Selby-Rickett move out to GD, Nicola Mackle come on at C and Daya Wiffen take the WD bib. The fresh legs were by no means unsteady, slotting in easily to the team and not interrupting the smooth play seen throughout the first half.

The Pulse reached their half-century in the third quarter and the Storm, although seemingly more patient, were still unable to convert their precious opportunities. In the last 30 seconds of the period, the Storm gave the ball up once again, allowing Thwaites to sink an easy goal and take her team to 60 goals to the Storm’s 29.

The final quarter began with two slick passes into the circle with Thwaites converting the goal, confirming both her and her team’s strong stance in this competition.

Storm coach Tamsin Greenway did not have a large bench to play around with and it was apparent that the players were finding it difficult to keep up with the Pulse’s superior speed and fitness. Storm defence Sinclair and Thomson did all they could to contain Thwaites, double teaming her in the final quarter, however quick feeding by the midcourt kept the options open and the ball never struggled to enter the circle.

The final whistle saw the Pulse ahead by an impressive margin, the final score 79-38.

Credit must go to the Storm for their gutsy performance; even as the score line ran away from them, they retained their determination until the final whistle. The Pulse will be looking forward to continuing their exquisite netball in their next match against the Northern Thunder on November 29.

Quarter scores (Pulse first): 21-8, 40-20, 60-29, 79-38.

Pulse Starting Line-Up

Te Amo Amaru-Tibble

Amber Bellringer

Claire Kersten

Liana Leota

Stacey McFeeters

Te Huinga Selby Rickit

Caitlin Thwaites

Pulse subs:

Q3

GK – Victoria Smith

GD - Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickett

C – Nicola Mackle

WD – Daya Wiffen

Q4

WD – Stacey McFeeters

GA - Te Amo Amaru-Tibble

Next game :

Live at http://www.quipu.tv/html/live.html

November 29 (30th November in NZ)

v Manchester Thunder

7pm (UK) 8am (NZ)

For more information, please contact:

Catherine Rossiter-Stead

Media Manager

Haier Pulse Netball Franchise

PO Box 14-845, Kilbirnie, Wellington

www.pulse.org.nz | catherine@pulse.org.nz | www.facebook.com/haier.pulse

ENDS

© Scoop Media