Haier Pulse Runners Up in World Premier Cup Challenge

Haier Pulse Runners Up in World Premier Cup Challenge

The pace on the court in Glasgow was blistering today as the only two sides from the Southern hemisphere met in a trans-Tasman clash at the World Premier Club Challenge (WPCC). The last game in the tournament proved to be one to watch as the Invitational Haier Central Pulse and West Coast Fever began the game sitting on equal points on the ladder. The Pulse were unfortunately unable to clinch the win, the Fever taking out the match 53-47.

The last time these two sides met in the 2012 ANZ Championship, the Fever came from behind to beat the Pulse by just two goals. The same tense atmosphere was seen on the court today as the teams were goal-for-goal at many points throughout the match. Both teams executed brilliant straight-line play throughout the midcourt, and defence was always tight and persistent.

Amber Bellringer assisted the Pulse to an early 8-5 lead as the shooter worked the circle beautifully, working well with some more excellent feeds from wing attack Liana Leota. At the other end of the court, Fever shooter Caitlin Bassett was also effective as she continued her fantastic form from the tournament.

The intensity from both sides was explosive however it seemed the Pulse were initially able to handle the speed better, the Fever appearing messy at times. The Australians gained the lead, however, with four minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Fever defender Chanel Gomes was out hunting for the ball, snatching some great cross-court intercepts and sending the ball down the other end for her team-mates to convert. The pressure of this defence was enough to shake the Pulse shooters a little with Thwaites and Bellringer both missing some relatively easy shots. Seven unanswered goals in the last five minutes of the quarter saw the Fever leading at quarter time 15-11.

Thwaites was not as prominent in this game as the circle defence was even tighter in the second quarter, Fever’s Eboni Beckford-Chambers not allowing the ball to reach the shooter. The Pulse slowed their attacking game accordingly, giving themselves more room and time to move and convert. This allowed more confident play between Thwaites and Leota, with the shooter coming back into the game with assertiveness.

The Pulse set up a strong zone defence throughout the court which forced errors and ambitious passes on the Fever’s part, however the scoreboard didn’t reflect the true strength of this defence due to unforced errors by the New Zealand side. The match became more physical nearing the end of the quarter, both teams needing to retain composure which the Fever demonstrated more than the Pulse, who were trailing 21-26 at half time.

Thwaites tried to get the attack moving in the third quarter, coming out of the circle to give Bellringer more room to receive the pass. The shooter was successful in her efforts, the Pulse scoring three goals in succession early in the quarter to close the gap a little.

The Fever always had an answer, however, the team’s midcourt moving the ball with speed off the centre pass, demonstrating the experience and ability of elite level netballers in Australia and New Zealand. The margin fluctuated between three and six points, both teams employing impressive skills to keep the match close.

The Fever proved to have dominance in the end of the quarter, validated by Caitlin Basset, the towering shooter winning the contest against Selby-Rickett and assisting her team to take the lead to 40-34 at three-quarter time.

The final quarter began with passion and was certainly taken to another level as both teams were quite obviously hungry for the win. Unfortunately the Pulse were unable to stop the Fever’s drive as the Australians had an eleven-goal lead in the tenth minute, both their attack and defence tight and composed.

The closeness between the teams throughout the match was not shown in the final score as the Fever ran away with the game in the final fifteen minutes, winning 53-47. Despite the loss, the Pulse can be proud of their performance in the WPCC, giving the audience a stunning show of netball and great execution of skill. Winning five from six, the team should head down under with confidence ahead of the 2013 season.

Pulse player Liana Leota was recognised for her skill in the tournament, deservedly winning the title of player of the tournament.

- Lauren Crimp

Quarter scores (Pulse first): 11-15, 21-26, 34-40, 47-53

Pulse starting line-up:

GS: Caitlin Thwaites

GA: Amber Bellringer

WA: Liana Leota

C: Daya Wiffen

WD: Claire Kersten

GD: Victoria Smith

GK: Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickett (C)

Pulse subs:

3rd quarter

C: Nicola Mackle replaced Daya Wiffen

WD: Daya Wiffen replaced Claire Kersten

4th quarter

GD: Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickett replaced Victoria Smith

GK: Victoria Smith replaced Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickett

WD: Stacey McFeeters replaced Daya Wiffen (after injury time).

ends

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