Mission Queensland Firebirds Triumph

Mission Queensland Firebirds (52) def Mojo Pulse (46)

Led by inspiring captain Laura Geitz, the Mission Queensland Firebirds came home strongly to defuse a spirited Mojo Pulse challenge 52-46 in Porirua on Sunday.

After a tight tussle through the first three quarters of the match, Firebirds bookends Geitz, at the defence end, and shooter Romelda Aiken provided the necessary composure in the final quarter to complete a hard-fought first win.

The match had a bit of everything but the Firebirds – Australia’s most successful team in New Zealand – retained their focus on the job at hand to repel all the Pulse could throw at them.

The home team enjoyed strong surges of play, usually late in each quarter, but were often left chasing the game. Crucial lapses, not making the most of their opportunities and conversion percentages proved costly for the Pulse who slumped to a second loss from their opening two matches.

Veteran goal shoot Irene van Dyk and England import, Ama Agbeze at goalkeeper, were the changes to the Pulse’s starting line-up from last week while the Firebirds went with the same seven.

With both teams desperate to notch their first win of the season, it was a close and willing contest from the outset. There was very little to separate the combatants during an enthralling first stanza which produced a physical goal-for-goal confrontation.

Shooters van Dyk and Jodi Brown were forced to work the ball around to get the opening while the Firebirds focussed on the more direct route to 1.96m shooter Aiken.

Captain Katrina Grant set the tone for the home team with some vital turnovers while Brown carried a big work load for the Pulse. For the Firebirds, livewire wing defence Gabi Simpson enjoyed considerable success with the long bomb to Aiken as both teams strained to make their mark.

Neither could fully capitalise on their turnover opportunities as the Firebirds took the lead late to pinch a tenuous 13-12 lead at the first break.
The exchanges heated up on the resumption with a number of penalties dished out to both teams for over-exuberant play.

The defensive pairing of Grant and Agbeze gave the Pulse a perfect start with a clutch of turnover ball as the riveting contest showed no signs of abating. Within minutes, the home team had levelled the scores but a touch of the shooting wobbles handed the advantage back to the visitors.

Dangerous on the fast break, the Firebirds shot out to a 22-18 advantage with Aiken making the most of her opportunities. With van Dyk well contained, Brown was entrusted with much of the Pulse’s scoring momentum but the well-travelled shooter re-found her touch heading towards half-time.

A late four-goal surge minimised most of the damage, the Firebirds enjoying a 23-21 lead at the main break.

With no changes to either line-up for the all-important third stanza, it was the Firebirds who gained the upper hand when stretching out to a five-goal buffer. Geitz and her defensive partner Clare McMeniman put the squeeze on the Pulse shooters to optimise turnover opportunities.

The fiery exchanges continued with neither team taking a backward step, the umpire’s patience finally wearing out when Firebirds midcourter Simpson was sent to the bench for persistent infringing for the duration of three goals.

That heralded a Pulse revival, another late quarter surge resulting in 13 goals apiece as the Firebirds maintained their two-goal advantage when leading 36-34 at three-quarter time, the Firebirds negating a blockbuster finish with a controlled run to the line.

Mission Queensland Firebirds shooting statistics:
Romelda Aiken 37/45 (82%)
Amy Wild 15/20 (75%)

Mojo Pulse shooting statistics:
Irene van Dyk 19/22 (86%)
Jodi Brown 27/37 (73%)

MVP: Romelda Aiken (Firebirds)
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