T&T netball goal shoot Kalifa Mc Collin had her best scoring output in the ANZ Premiership so far this season, but could not stop the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel from slipping to a 39-48 defeat at the hands of Robinhood Northern Stars at the Auckland Netball Centre on Saturday.
With the game in the balance at three-quarter time and leading by just two (33-31), the Stars with T&T goal defence Daystar Swift on the bench turned up the heat in the run home to out-score the Steel 15-8 and secure their second win of the season.
After playing the first of their double-header weekend just 24 hours earlier, the Steel showed plenty of heart when overcoming of adversity to compete gamely for much of the match.
Losing key shooter Jennifer O’Connell to injury on Friday night in a 37-40 loss to Central Pulse, the Steel had new-faced shooters in Kiana Pelasio and Grace Namana thrown into the fray, both contributing admirably despite their lack of experience.
Shooter Maia Wilson was an individual standout for the Stars, her return of 36 goals from 39 attempts showcasing her contribution.
Suddenly finding herself as the senior shooter, the 24-year-old Mc Collin in her debut campaign in the league was moved back to goal shoot while young Dunedin shooter Pelasio was elevated to the starting seven after making her debut 24 hours earlier, filling in for the final 55 seconds when O’Connell was forced off.
Forced to play a different type of game due to their new-look shooting circle, it took the Steel time to adjust allowing the Stars to take full advantage.
The final quarter was Stars as Wilson tallied ten goals from 11 attempts while Jamie Hume was perfect from her four attempts, while Mc Collin and Namana were limited to four goals each from as many attempts.
In the end, Mc Collin ended with 27 goals from 29 attempts to carry her season tally to 109 from 134 attempts at 81 per cent shooting, Namana six from eight, and Pelasio six of ten while Wilson tallied 36 from 39, and Hume, 12 of 15 for the winners.
It was a memorable weekend for Stars as they followed up with a 45-43 win over WBOP Magic on Sunday with Swift again an unused substitute as she works her way back from injury.
Following last weekend results, Central Pulse sits top of the six-club table with a 6-0 record and 24 points, seven clear of Northern Mystics (4-2) while Northern Stars (3-1-3) and Mainland Tactix (3-1-3) are next with 16 and 15 points respectively.
Fifth on the standings is WBOP Magic (1-2-4) with nine points while the Steel rounds out the table with a 1-6 record and six points.
Swift will hope to see some action when Stars return to action against Mystics on Friday, while Mc Collin and the Steel face Magic on Sunday, July, 19 and Tactix, a day later, both matches will pass-off from 3 am (TT time).