The damage inflicted in the opening spell paved the way back into the Synergy Hair Netball League’s (SHNL) winners’ circle for the defending champion Central Manawa.
The four-time champions established a match-winning lead in the first 15 minutes of play against the Northern Marvels at The Trusts Arena in Auckland on Saturday, eventually taking the game 53-44.
They consolidated their spot at the top of the SHNL points table after a surprise loss to Waikato-BOP earlier this month, as they eye a place in the 14 May Grand Final.
Manawa were fast out of the blocks and threatened to run away with the match in the third quarter, but the Marvels finished strongly, winning the last quarter, and will be left wondering what may have been in what was a key game for the fourth-placed side.
Captain Jazz Scott said Manawa were determined to come out strongly after slipping up against Waikato-BOP.
“After a loss a team is always coming back to take their gloves off and try and get that win again. That last performance wasn’t good enough for us so we were keen to have a really strong start and that scoreline shows we can be really proud of ourselves,” she said.
Manawa netted the opening two goals and played with plenty of width to their game and confidence in the shooting circle for a strong start.
The defensive pressure from the visitors’ attacking unit impressed early on as Manawa could do little wrong, stretching their advantage six goals after just five minutes.
Marvels centre Killarney Morey did her best to help spark her side with some outstanding vision into the shooting circle as the early nerves started to ease and they closed the gap to three goals.
But Manawa were relentless with their defensive efforts – particularly circle defenders Rachel Price and Madison Thomas – and their patience and re-established a commanding 17-8 lead at the quarter break.
Marvels coach Natalie Milicich made just two changes in the middle with captain Storm Gilmer moving to centre and Serina Daukamakama coming off the bench to wing attack.
The switch had an immediate impact as the Marvels again made some chinks into the deficit but there was no easy goal for the hosts.
It prompted Manawa to make a change in the defensive line with experienced Pulse defender Parris Mason injected into the circle.
An immediate intercept from Mason and a strong rebound helped Manawa stem the flow of goals from the Marvels and the visitors were quick to punish to establish a double-digit lead.
More personnel changes for the Marvels followed with Christie Anderson returning to the court at shooter and joined by Alyssa-Jean Savelio in a new-look shooting circle, while at the other end Grace Gatiu-Lui and Charlotte Manley stepped into the defensive circle.
Manawa also took the opportunity to change their line with Emma-May Murray-Fifita teaming up with Phoenix Schwalger for the shooting duties as they went into the halftime break, leading 30-20.
The personnel and positional changes kept coming from the Marvels as they did their best to find the mix who could disrupt Manawa’s flow.
But the visitors’ dominance never dwindled as a five-goal run ensured Manawa had control of the match mid-way through the third spell.
However, a flurry of goals late in the quarter showed the Marvels would not lie down, turning into the fourth stanza trailing 32-43.