In a season-defining clash, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel cemented their opportunity for hosting rights to the Grand Final after despatching the Melbourne Vixens 65-56 in Invercargill on Saturday.
The unbeaten Steel still need to come through the New Zealand Conference Finals and ANZ Championship Semi-Final unscathed for that to happen but the southerners once again showed their growing confidence and stature.
There was plenty on the line for both teams, with the Vixens in a two-way race with the West Coast Fever to seal third place in the Australian Conference and for the Steel, the chance to finish as the top team across both Conferences.
Once again, the Steel showed their ability to absorb, resist and dominate. Nailing their opportunities with telling accuracy, the Steel were afforded a standing ovation from their loyal faithful after achieving their milestone moment with a round to spare.
The Steel were into their stride quickly, patient and accurate play helping them forge an early four-goal buffer.
The towering figure of home shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid was prominent from the outset, revelling in the slick service provided by midcourters Shannon Francois and Gina Crampton.
The Vixens overcame their slow start to even up the contest, shooting accuracy proving the difference at the end of a high-scoring opening. The 100 percent accuracy rate from Fowler-Reid and Te Paea Selby-Rickit leading the Steel to an 18-16 lead at the first break.
In a big blow, the visitors lost the services of experienced shooter Karyn Bailey, who limped off midway through the second stanza to leave the pairing of Alice Teague-Neeld and Kim Commane under the hoop.
The Steel’s attack line was forced to work harder to get the ball goal-bound but again patience and the combined finishing of Fowler-Reid and Selby-Rickit advanced the cause for the home team who held a 33-29 lead at the main break.
A big lift in defensive pressure highlighted the Steel’s opening to the third quarter. Captain Wendy Frew and in-circle defenders Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Jane Watson put the squeeze on the Vixens shooters.
A six-goal scoring spree pushed the Steel out to a commanding 11-goal lead at one stage, forcing the frustrated Vixens into a change-up in their shooting circle.
The introduction of rookie Emma Ryde added more options and gave the Vixens some impetus late in the quarter. Ryde’s 1.97m frame provided a more prominent target while defenders Jo Weston and Geva Mentor got their hands on more turnover ball as they reduced the Steel’s lead to 47-40 at the last break.
