A strong full-court defensive effort in the closing stages of their Synergy Hair Netball League match lifted the defending champion Central Manawa side to their second win of the season.
But the five-time national netball league champions had to pull out all of the stops in the last spell against a spirited Southern Blast side, going on to win 56-46 at TSB Arena in Wellington.
Captain Kiana Pelasio said unforced errors marred their performance, but she was pleased they could push through in the fourth quarter, which they won convincingly, for the victory.
“We were pushing ourselves too far when we really needed to keep the ball safe, but I’m happy with that win,” she said.
Pelasio said there was plenty to work on looking ahead to a big match-up against the Marvels next week.
“We need to have that full 60-minute game so we’re really just pushing for that and looking after each other as well.”
Blast captain Isabella Galvan said she was pleased with her team’s ability to fight back but disappointed to drop away in the fourth quarter.
“We stayed in it for 45 minutes but couldn’t push on in that last bit. I think we had the ball to do it but felt like we ran out of steam – our trainers have pushed us hard, so I know we’ve got it in us to do it,” she said.
In a similar storyline to their first outing of the season, the Blast remained within reach of their opponents only to fall away in the fourth quarter.
It was Manawa who opened strongly, led by Martina Salmon, who has moved around the country in recent weeks to sit on the bench of two ANZ Premiership teams, showing accuracy with a long range shot to settle any nerves.
The jitters however belonged to the Blast, who turned over ball early on, before a goal from Ella Southby got the visitors on the scoreboard.
The defending champion Manawa were relentless in the opening few minutes with their pressure over the ball and tight marking as they jumped out to a 6-2 lead.
But with confidence, the Blast were able to let the ball go on attack with Ella Southby – who had an outstanding performance with just two miss from her 29 attempts at goal – growing in stature at goal attack to help keep her team in the contest.
Manawa’s ability to score quickly, through the target of Salmon in the shooting circle, saw the hosts go into the first break with a 16-12 advantage.
The battle between Salmon and Blast defender Laura Balmer – another standout performance for the visitors – continued in the second quarter with the latter working hard to shut down Manawa’s key target.
Converting the turnover ball was key for the Blast however as they stayed within touch of the hosts, on the back of patience up front and Southby’s accuracy in the circle.
Manawa coach Ngarama Milner-Olsen wasn’t afraid to turn to her bench and made a number of changes during the second spell with Caitlin Lafaele coming on at goal keep and Rachel Price at wing defence.
But it was Blast which continued to chip away at the lead and mid-way through the quarter had levelled the scores to 22 apiece.
As Blast’s defensive unit tightened the screws on Manawa’s shooting combination, the visitors forced errors and cause plenty of frustration as the scores remained locked at 26-26 at halftime.
Personnel changes up front featured for the Blast in the start on the second half with the Southby sisters, Ella and Grace, teaming up in the circle while Praise Hola picked up the wing attack bib.
Madison Thomas also returned to the goal defence role for Manawa and captain Kiana Pelasio showed her experience in the goal attack bib.
Three quick goals to Manawa gave them some breathing space as they looked to assert their authority, edging out 40-36 with one quarter to play.