|
Steel basks in a golden glow
 As the old adage states, every cloud has a silver lining … except ours was gold this week.
Steel shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid secured our first Golden Bib of the season after a commanding performance against the Northern Mystics last Sunday. It's fair to say the encounter itself didn't go as planned for our Steel team, suffering a 61-67 loss at the hands of our northern foes. Jhaniele slotted an impressive 47 from 49 shots and snatched three rebounds to edge out her Mystics counterpart Cathrine Latu by just one point in the coveted statistical based competition.
They do say you learn more from a loss and you can bet our players have taken those lessons on board this week as they focus firmly on Monday night's highly-anticipated clash against the Central Pulse at ILT Stadium Southland.
Both teams have had a disjointed start to this year's quest for ANZ Championship glory and round seven looms as season-defining for both. The Pulse might have claimed the bragging rights in round two but this time it's on OUR turf and we're determined to secure the first victory at our ILT Stadium fortress. It's time to Stand Behind the Steel!
Steel a Secret from ... Gina Crampton
Which team do you look forward to playing the most and why? The Pulse because they have a few new faces in their squad this year and it will be a really tight game!
Do you have any secret party tricks? I wish!! I need to find me one of those.
Who has had the most influence on your career? Probably my Dad - he has always been great to have for advice and support!
Growing up who was your all-time favourite player? Temepara George was always my favourite! She was so fast, strong and accountable!
FIND OUT MORE OF GINA'S SECRETS .... Click Here
 Steel Yourself for ROUND 7
Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel v Haier Pulse
Monday 14 April, 7.40pm
ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill
Broadcast Live - FOX SPORTS 2 (AUS); SKY SPORT 1 (NZ)
Umpires: Jono Bredin & Liz Boon, Reserve: Ann Hay
The Facts:
LAST MEETING: Round 2, 2014: Pulse 67 def Steel 56, TSB Bank Arena, Wellington.
• The Steel lead head to head with eight wins and five losses in 13 meetings.
• The Steel and Pulse have previously met in Invercargill on three occasions with the Steel winning all three matches.
• The Pulse and Steel have played out one extra time match in the ANZ Championship. It was the very first meeting between the sides with the Steel winning 52-50.
• The Pulse claimed just their second ANZ Championship extra time victory in Round 6 when they defeated the Magic 56-53 in Hamilton. The Pulse has played out eight extra time matches and that is the most of any side in the competition.
• The Pulse claimed their third win of the season in Round 6 and are sixth on the ANZ Championship ladder.
• The Steel has the 3rd best attacking record in the ANZ Championship with an average of 57.83 goals per match. The Steel are ranked 9th defensively with 63.17 goals per match being scored against them.
• The Pulse has the 7th best attacking record in the competition with 53 goals per match. The Pulse has the 5th best defence with 53.17 goals per match being scored against them.
• The Pulse is the most accurate side in the ANZ Championship after six rounds with 318 goals at 90.1 percent accuracy.
• The Steel is the third most accurate side in the ANZ Championship after six rounds with 345 goals at 88.5 percent accuracy.
• Steel shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid has shot 68.3 percent of the entire Steel goals this season. Fowler has shot 239 goals at 92.6 percent accuracy.
• Four of the Pulse’s side have previously played for the Southern Steel, Donna Wilkins, Katrina Grant, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Paula Griffin.
• Pulse shooter Irene van Dyk will play her 99th ANZ Championship match in Round 7. Van Dyk played 92 matches for the Magic between 2008 and 2013 before joining the Pulse this season.
• Donna Wilkins will play her 60th ANZ Championship match in Round 7.
|
