Netball: Pulse, Steel preseason netball final

A general view during the ANZ Championship pre season tournament at Queenstown Events Centre. Photo / Getty Images

Central Pulse held their nerve to narrowly beat the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel 57-54 tonight and book a spot in tomorrow's final at a preseason tournament in Queenstown.

The unbeaten Pulse will take on the Queensland Firebirds for tournament bragging rights, while the Steel face a rematch with the Tactix for third place. The visiting Australian outclassed the Tactix 60-44 in their semi-final.

Toppled 43-59 by their South Island neighbours earlier in the day, the Southern hosts were forced into the undesirable position of fourth qualifier to meet the Pulse tonight, courtesy of the Wellington team's surprising 59-54 victory over the highly-fancied Firebirds.

Depleted by injuries to key players, including Silver Ferns Liana Leota, Leana de Bruin and midcourter Natasha Chokljat and defender Sheryl Scanlan, the Steel have been forced to rely on a makeshift squad which includes several ring ins.

On a positive note, Steel co-captain Wendy Frew staged her return to the court following shoulder surgery and added valuable leadership to a fledgling midcourt.

"It's a great feeling to be back out there on court, although I felt a bit rusty since I haven't played a game in six months," Frew said.

The Steel remained competitive throughout tonight's clash against the Pulse.

"We just need to ensure we keep raising the bar it's preseason but we still do want to perform well and it's disappointing to suffer four losses on the trot," Frew said.

Locked 16-16 after the first quarter, both teams traded goals for the majority of the second before some deft touches from goal defence Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit assisted the Steel to snatch a slight buffer.

Faced with a 29-31 deficit at haltime, Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie opted to mix things up with a host of changes - and it immediately had an impact with the Pulse taking the lead just three minutes in the third spell.

While hesitation crept into the Steel's game and flow through the court suffered, the Pulse grew in confidence and fired off some torpedo passes from long range to hit the 1.88m target of goal shoot Caitlin Thwaites.

Down 40-45 heading into the final 15 minutes, the Steel battled its way back into contention to trail by just one goal with three minutes remaining but didn't quite manage to punch it home.

The Steel's earlier game against the Tactix was a more one-sided affair.

With the score tied 9-9 halfway through the opening spell, a late charge earned the Tactix a healthy 18-12 buffer at the break.

Five in a row saw the Steel back within striking distance but it failed to capitalise and the Tactix - propelled by formidable shooter Donna Wilkins - embarked on a 11-4 scoring rampage.

Down 23-35 at halftime, the Steel won the third spell by two but were unable to continue the momentum.

Jamaican import Kasey Evering was particularly menacing at goal keep for the Tactix, while her Steel counterpart Louise Thayer - a last minute inclusion - produced another solid display.

With just a couple of wins in three years of the ANZ Championship to its credit, the Pulse's win over the Firebirds would have been hailed as 'giant-killing' if not for the informal status of a preseason hit-out.

Regardless, it was a victory to be proud of with the Pulse surmounting a seven-goal deficit to win the final quarter 20-12 and claim the four-goal win.

"I think we might have a smile about that one," coach Yvette McCausland-Durie said. "We need to experience the feel of the win everyone expects us to lose but maybe now that scene will change.

Thwaites spearheaded the attack, slotting 39 of her 41 attempts.

"Our shooters are going from range and that's making a massive difference. The players are really starting to back each other and trust themselves."

Results: Tactix beat Steel 59-43, Pulse beat Firebirds 59-54, Firebirds beat Tactix 60-44, Pulse beat Steel 57-54.

- NZPA