Athreatening presence through many of the previous games, theStars finally broke their duck when dismantling the AscotPark Hotel Southern Steel 63-46 to post their first win ofthe season in Auckland on Saturday. With both teamsstruggling at the foot of the table, the win helped theStars leapfrog the Steel into fifth place after pocketingsix bonus points, for finishing with five goals, leadinginto opening clash of Round 9. The home side continuedto gather momentum throughout the match, outplaying theiropposites across all facets of the game while building ahandsome advantage.
The Steel provided a more evencontest in the final 15 minutes but by then, the damage hadbeen done, the loss of key players proving an on-goingheadache for the southerners. Superior shooting at oneend, where captain Maia Wilson was an invaluable contributorwith 49 from 52, an impressive defensive unit at the other,able to provide a constant flow of defensive gains and atidy midcourt all played a key hand in the Stars first winof the season. The Steel’s shooting accuracy wasoff-beam through the match while having 14 less attemptsthan their opponents was also a telling factor.
HollyMather was elevated from the Comets to the Stars startingline-up at centre, filling the gap left by MilaReuelu-Buchanan, who has been ruled out for the rest of theseason with injury. Mather was joined in the Stars midcourtby sister Lisa at wing defence. The Steel started withthe familiar line-up of recent weeks, including recen.