Robinhood Stars subdued by Steel in Invercargill

The Robinhood Stars have suffered a first loss of their ANZ Premiership campaign going down 71-62 to the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in Invercargill. 

The assignment was made even harder with midcourters Lisa Mather and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan and defender Anna Harrison absent due to illness, which resulted in coach Kiri Wills fielding a very new-look starting seven to the one which beat the Trident Homes Tactix in week 1. 

Back with the Stars, Kayla Johnson made her return to the ANZ Premiership for the first time since 2019 when taking on the wing defence role. Holly Fowler slotted in at goal defence while Greer Sinclair started at centre.

Like last week the Stars were slow out the blocks and with a number of changes it was always going to take time to get combinations set and flowing.

Both teams showed intent at the defensive and were able to force cheap turnovers from the attack in amongst a tight fight for ascendancy in the contest.

Steel shooter George Fisher was automatic under the hoop - hitting every shot at goal in the quarter, which heaped scoreboard pressure on the Stars and saw them down by four midway through the quarter.

The Stars rallied late in the quarter though and started to look more comfortable in the contest and with shooting pair of Maia Wilson and Jamie Hume creating space and hitting important shots, the Stars cut the deficit to two goals, with the Steel up 16-14 at quarter-time. 

The Stars worked towards closing the gap and applied direct pressure on the Steel and were rewarded with a turnover and two straight goals to see the contest locked up. 

Mid-courter Gina Crampton was leading from the front at the attacking end with swift feeds to the shooting circle throughout the half.

The Steel responded with some fast play and turnovers of their own and with Fisher never looking like missing the Steel regained control of the contest and suddenly led by six goals to go into the half-time break ahead 34-28

The second half saw the introduction of Emma Iversen in the Stars midcourt who was a late call up for the match after retiring last year. 

Iversen linked up well with her new teammates as the Stars fought hard, but struggled to get through a Steel defensive wall on many occasions. 

The Steel's consistent pressure was telling, as they notched up 18 gains to the Stars nine throughout the game and made them count. The quick thinking of Steel midcourter Shannon Saunders turned gains into goals, as the Steel took a 51-42 lead into the final period. 

The Stars fought valiantly in the final quarter trying to close the deficit and ended up matching the Steel in goals, with both teams scoring 20 goals each. 

In the end the Steel were too good and finished with a comfortable 71-62 win. 

Elle Temu was a huge presence at the defensive end for the Stars, tirelessly hunting ball and being rewarded with three intercepts and five gains throughout the match.

Maia Wilson produced another solid shooting performance - netting 45 of her 49 attempts at goal.

Kayla Johnson had a strong showing in her ANZ Premiership return and made some classy touches as she played the entire game. 

The Stars don't have to wait long for a chance at revenge and will face the Steel again next Monday, but will first meet the Tactix for the second time this season in Auckland on Saturday.