Stars' Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (R) contests possesiion with Pulse's Tiana Metuarau during the ANZ Premiership elimination final in Porirua. Photo: photosport
The Stars have beaten the Pulse 53-52 in a dramatic elimination final to set up an all-Auckland decider in netball's ANZ Premiership.
Goal attack Amorangi Malesala held her nerve to shoot the winning goal in the final act of the game in Porirua.
In a fluctuating contest, the defending champion Pulse led 29-25 at halftime but trailed 41-37 entering the final quarter before launching a late fightback.
Stars' players and management celebrate victory over the Pulse in their ANZ Premiership Elimination Final in Porirua. Photo: photosport
Defeat marked the end of a successful tenure as Pulse head coach for Yvette McCausland-Durie, who lamened her team's third quarter, which they lost 16-8.
"It was critical in the end and certainly on attack we played with width and I thought at times we got a little disconnected and then we lost the faith about letting ball go," she told Sky Sport.
"They're going to kick themselves about all sorts of things but I'm really proud of them, I thought there were some really good moments. We expected it to be a really tight tussle and it was."
Stars' Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (L) battles for possession with Pulse's Fa'amu Ioane during the ANZ Premiership elimination final in Porirua. Photo: photosport
Stars coach Kiri Wills said it was a thrilling moment when Malesala landed the winning goal, to gain some measure of vengeance of losing last year's grand final to the Pulse.
"I think I gave it a fist pump and did the big woohoo," Wills said.
"Really pleased with that, the Pulse have been hard for us to beat in these pressure matches - two finals lost to them in the past - so to win this is amazing."
Wills said her team have matured to the point that they can handle the big moments in major matches.
"That's the thing we've been working on most this season. We've got our own little phrase - 'dynamic composure" - because often when you tell a team to be calm and composed, they slow down.
"So that's our thing and it's worked for us."
Stars goal shoot Maia Wilson delivered a typically consistent performance, landing 36 of her 38 shots while Malesala shot 17 from 21.
Young Pulse goal shoot Amelia Walmsley impresed again (41/45) while Tiana Metuarau was quiet in comparison on the shooting front (11/13) but typically busy with her mobility.
The Stars will face the table-topping Mystics in Sunday's grand final at a neutral venue, in Hamilton.
- RNZ
