In a must-win match, Central Manawa delivered when it mattered with victory over Mainland sending them into the Synergy Hair Netball League Grand Final.
Needing a win or a draw in their last game of the regular season, Manawa came from behind to beat Mainland 58-56 at TSB Arena in Wellington on Sunday and now the two teams will meet again in six days to determine which team will claim the major spoils.
The victory snuffs out the hopes of the defending champion Comets team who were at home watching these two teams play with their fate.
Overcoming a slow start, Manawa dominated the middle spells, held their composure in the fourth and called on some big shooting guns in the form of ANZ Premiership player Amorangi Malesala who netted six from six super-shots for the five-time champions.
“I’ve been itching to get out there so I’m grateful to be able to do this with Manawa,” the Central Pulse player said after the game.
Mainland gained the first turnover from the opening centre pass and netted four goals before the hosts troubled the scorers, the visitors’ defensive duo of Lose Faingaanuku and captain Kate Littlejohn kept the pressure on in the circle.
At the other end of the court, shooter Te Ata Hassan found good space on attack and was well fed by the other three players in their attacking unit as Mainland built a seven-goal lead.
It forced Manawa into an early change with captain Kiana Pelasio replaced by Sarah Guiney at goal attack.
A two-point super shot to Guiney was countered by Hassan almost immediately as the two teams went into the first break with a 16-10 advantage.
Manawa returned to the court with more intent on defence and forced a turnover, but with the difference still six goals, the hosts injected ANZ Premiership goal attack Amorangi Malesala into the match for an immediate impact.
Errors started to creep into Mainland’s game as Manawa lifted their intensity with Josie Seymour brought into the visitors’ line at wing defence midway through the spell.
There was just four points difference as they entered the second super shot period of play where Malesala stepped up and Manawa trailed 25-27 by halftime.
Confidence returned to the Manawa camp on the resumption of play and the hit the front for the first time in the game, early in the third quarter.
The defensive pressure applied throughout the court by Manawa forced Mainland into errors in what was a messy period of play for the latter.
Pelasio’s experience at wing attack started to come into play, her return to the action sparking Manawa as they dominated after the break to jump out to a three-goal lead.
Mainland went to their bench again with Taina Day replacing Vika Koloto at goal as they attempted to rediscover their flow on attack.
Malesala again made Mainland pay in the super shot period with three two-pointers as Manawa went into the deciding quarter with a 42-38 advantage.
With their season on the line, Manawa lifted again in the fourth spell and with shooter Phoenix Schwalger almost netting a faultless game, missing just one of her 33 attempts at goal.