Stunning First-Up Win For Steel

A dominant outing delivered coach Wendy Frew her first win at the elite level after Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel posted a record 69-41 win over AVIS Magic in Hamilton on Monday.

A legendary figure in the Deep South during her playing days, the Steel replicated many of the standards of that era when they comprehensively dismantled a strong Magic line-up to close out Round 2 action.

It produced the Steel’s first win of this year’s campaign while leaving the Magic winless. The Northern Mystics remain the only unbeaten team.

The Steel impressed with their consistency, patience and accuracy. With a huge volume of ball at their disposal, it spoke volumes of a complete Steel effort. Such was their dominance, Frew had the luxury of giving all her players game time.

With a settled line-up, the Magic opted for Oceane Maihi, with her extra height to make the start at goal defence.

Still missing midcourter Kate Heffernan and defender Abby Lawson also ruled out through injury, replacement player Khanye-Lii Munro-Nonoa slotted in at goal defence for the southerners.

Searching for their first win against the Magic since 2022, the Steel couldn’t have asked for a better start, spearheaded by the drive of experienced centre Kimiora Poi, the slick distribution of goal attack Georgia Heffernan and sure shooting of Aliyah Dunn.

Loose passing options and hesitancy on attack proved costly for the Magic, dogged Steel defensive work where rising young in-circle defender Carys Stythe was a menacing presence, delivered further opportunities, the visitors not missing a beat.

With so much possession in their hands, the Steel were content to keep the one-point opportunities rolling as opposed to the Magic who were forced to roll the dice.

With Saviour Tui and Ameliaranne Ekenasio nailing maximum shots in the closing five minutes, Magic repaired some of the damage as the Steel took a 19-13 into the first break.

It was a similar story through the second stanza, the Steel impressing with their clean and crisp execution in their through-court flow.

The Magic struggled to penetrate their attacking zone with any consistency, the Steel growing in confidence to deny the home team any semblance of a comeback.

Staring at a growing scoreline prompted changes for the Magic with Georgia Edgecombe moving to centre and Reeghan de Bono coming off the bench to wing defence but providing little respite.

Two super shots from Tui and one from Ekenasio were largely defused by one from a flawless Dunn, who finished with 29 from 29 for the half, left the Steel well placed when leading 35-23 at the main break.

Things didn’t get any better for the home side as the Steel raced out to a 7-1 start to the third stanza. It was business as usual for the well-drilled southerners, patience and real confidence on attack meant no slipping of standards.

Young wing attack Serina Daunakamakama was all poise in distributing the forward momentum in tandem with Poi while at the other end, Stythe continued to make a mess of the Magic’s attacking ploys, using her long reach to disrupt as she grabbed three intercepts and four deflections through the first three quarters.

Despite super shots to Tui and Ekenasio, Heffernan ensured the Steel retained their buffer with one of her own as the Steel hit the last break with well-merited 50-34 lead.

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