A game-changing fourth quarter performance has led the Waikato Bay of Plenty to their first victory in the 2023 Synergy Hair Netball League, blowing out to a convincing 12-goal win over the Southern Blast.
In a match which rarely saw the lead amount to more than three goals between both sides, Waikato BOP dug deep and built in confidence in the final 15 minutes to net a 52-40 win over the Blast at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill.
Coming into the match, the Waikato BOP had suffered two narrow losses but a dominant fourth quarter earned them maximum points in the Deep South and captain Haylan Potts was delighted with her team’s “resilience” and “grind” to be able to pull ahead in the final spell, a period they won 17-6.
“It was a bit of a grind for both teams but it was cool to see all of our girls go right to the end, show that resilience and I’m super proud,” she said.
“We’ve been building in each game, and I think this game really showed how much we’ve been improving.”
Waikato BOP shooter Kate Taylor was a stand-out for the visitors netting all but three of her 41 attempts at goal in an MVP performance, but it was her second half combination with Ashley Maylor which helped spark the confidence up front.
It took Waikato BOP until the last five minutes of the game to break the shackles of the Blast and put the game beyond doubt.
The collective defensive pressure paid dividends in the final quarter while the attacking unit grew in confidence to finish the game in control.
The Blast welcomed three experienced players into their starting line with Jess Allan in the shooting circle, Steel training partner Kate Hartley at wing defence and Abby Erwood captaining the side at goal defence.
Allan started strongly for the hosts, calling for the ball and delivering with the first four goals for the Blast, her side racing out to a 4-1 lead.
At the other end of the court Taylor provided a strong target for Waikato BOP in the circle. When feeders Potts and Reeghan de Bono timed the delivery, the shooter showed her accuracy as she helped the visitors close the gap to one goal.
Waikato BOP had a number of opportunities in the opening spell to draw level on the scoreboard, thanks to the searching defence of Monica Faumui and Liza Ball, but took until the last two minutes of play to do so and went into the break at 12-apiece.
The Blast made two changes after the break with Cecile Velghe coming on to centre and Laura Balmer adding a little extra height at goal keeper.
The sharp shooting from the first quarter eluded both teams early in the second stanza but it was the Blast who made the initial break in the spell to go up by two goals.
They threatened on a number of occasions to break free but were unable to consolidate against a persistent Waikato BOP, both teams showing their hunger for the SHNL points on offer with the scores locked again at 22-22 at halftime.
The Blast made changes with Lose Fainga’anuku returning to the court in place of Balmer and Isabella Galvan also coming back on at centre.
But it was Waikato BOP’s changes which made an immediate impact with Ashleigh Maylor off the bench to goal attack, Georgia Bodle moving to centre and de Bono moving from the midcourt to goal defence.
They edged out to a two-goal advantage as the arm wrestle between the two teams continued.
Confidence started to build in Waikato BOP’s attacking end and it looked like the visitors would be able to build on their slender buffer, only for the Blast to rally and trail 34-35.