Superb Stars shoot to first win of ANZ Premiership season

The Stars have snapped a nine game winless run with a sublime showing against the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel, winning in Auckland.
 
Both teams enjoyed a sparring session to begin the contest, taking time to assess their opponent and trying the read the play.

The Stars were first to blink, making the first error of the game, which the Steel capitalised on and built an early advantage.

Starting at centre, Holly Mather took some time to build her connections with wing attack Emma Thompson and the shooting pairing of Maia Wilson and Amorangi Malesala.

As Mather's confidence grew, so did the Stars' pace of play and with Kate Burley and Holly Fowler terrorising the Steel shooters, the Stars began to flex their muscles and wear down the Steel.

Burley came up with successive intercepts which propelled the Stars into the lead and with Malesala and Wilson strong in front of goal, the Stars stunned the Steel with a 17-10 lead after quarter one.

The Stars were guilty of being a bit slow out the blocks to start the second quarter and the Steel made them pay as they went on a run which saw the deficit cut to three at one stage.

The Stars responded with a hammer blow, as yet again there constant pressure at the defensive end eventually caused the Steel to crack and the Stars maximised their opportunities, going on a ferocious run - before heading into the changing rooms with a big 32-22 lead.

The third quarter was scrappy in parts, but the Stars continued to keep a stranglehold on the contest with some more slick play.

The Steel threatened to close the gap, but each time, the Stars would hit back and extended their lead to be up by 14 goals heading into the final quarter and smelling the glorious scent of victory just moments away.  

The Stars continued to ooze confidence, putting on a show for their fans and finishing with a flurry, taking a comprehensive win.

Burley again shone from first to last whistle, finishing the game with an astounding six intercepts.

Lisa Mather had one of her best matches of the season in the wing defence bib, always fighting to win the ball with her bulldog-like determination all game.

Wilson continued to showcase why she's one of the competition's premier shooters with another powerful outing, netting 49 of her 52 attempts at goal.

The Stars now prepare for a battle with cross-city rivals the MG Mystics on Saturday at the Trusts Arena.