Mojo Pulse (55) drew with Ascot Park Southern Steel (55)

Official Result: Mojo Pulse (55) drew with Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel (55)

The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel produced another show stopper when clinching a goal in the dying seconds to claim a 55-all draw with the Mojo Pulse in Palmerston North on Sunday.

With the Steel just shading their opponents on goal differential for third spot in the New Zealand Conference coming into the match, the outcome was crucial to both.

Leading by two heading into the final term, the Pulse looked to have the game under control when a run of timely errors by their opponents opened the door to a seven-goal lead for the home team.

Introduced in the last 10 minutes, goal attack Brooke Leaver added impetus to the Steel cause as the southerners made a late pitch to get amongst the points. Critical lapses cost the Pulse, the visitors inching their way back to post the seventh draw of the competition this season. And more importantly, maintaining third spot in the tightly-packed New Zealand Conference.

Ameliaranne Wells, at goal shoot, and Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, goalkeeper, book-ended the Pulse’s starting line-up while Jane Watson picked up the goalkeeper’s bib for the Steel.

As befitting the importance of the match, it was a tight and even contest from the outset. Building on her recent strong form, Wells, and crafty veteran Jodi Brown provided a strong platform under the Pulse hoop as the home team got away to a steady and measured start.

The Steel proved equally adept at getting the ball into the hands of the league’s tallest player, 1.98m shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid through the well-directed passing of Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Gina Crampton as the teams traded goals through a riveting arm wrestle.

Both teams had their moments, enjoying short momentum swings before the other responded to get back on level terms. With nothing separating the teams in an entertaining and lively opening, neither could take any real advantage in stamping their mark, the Pulse nosing to a narrow 15-14 lead at the first break.

There was no let-up on the resumption, both teams showing strong ball retention as the pair went goal-for-goal.

Capitalising on a loose passage from the Pulse helped Steel break the impasse, a run of five straight goals giving the visitors a three-goal lead. Defenders Phoenix Karaka and Watson did a sterling job of tightening up on the Pulse shooters while at the other end producing perfectly placed ball into the hands of Fowler-Reid.

With Karaka producing several timely turnovers, Steel sprung out to a four-goal margin before a late rally of four unanswered goals helped Pulse repair the damage when they trailed 29-28 at the main break.

England international Ama Agbeze replaced Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit in the Pulse line-up for a frenetic and absorbingly tight third quarter. Every little lapse had huge significance as first one team and then the other made momentary surges.

Again neither team could get the vital break as the lead changed hands several times in a riveting contest. The spring in Agbeze’s step and the experienced heads of Brown and pocket rocket Liana Leota eventually prevailed in helping the Pulse produce a strong finish to the stanza.

With the contest far from over, an exciting finish beckoned when the home team again nudged in front when they took a tenuous 43-41 lead into the last break.

Pulse shooting statistics:
Ameliaranne Wells: 35/41 (85%)
Jodi Brown: 20/22 (91%)

Steel shooting statistics:
Jhaniele Fowler-Reid: 40/46 (87%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit: 12/16 (75%)
Brooke Leaver: 3/3 (100%)

MVP: Jhaniele Fowler-Reid (Steel)

END

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