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Stars through to final

Brendon Egan

Amorangi Malesala broke Central Pulse hearts, firing the Stars into their second straight grand final.

Malesala’s goal just before fulltime expired helped the Stars edge the Pulse 53-52 in a gripping ANZ Premiership elimination final yesterday.

The Stars’ last gasp victory sets up a first all-Auckland grand final in premiership history.

They will take on the Northern Mystics at a neutral venue, Hamilton’s Globox Arena, this Sunday. It was some second half from the Stars, who trailed by four goals (29-25) at halftime.

With a spot in the grand final on the line this match was played at a high intensity with the largest lead for either team being five goals.

This victory tasted sweet for the Stars, who had twice lost to the Pulse in ANZ Premiership grand finals – including last year’s decider.

As this was an elimination final, the Stars will reset for a juicy final against their crosstown Auckland rivals.

There was a hollow feeling at Porirua’s Te Rauparaha Arena at fulltime. The loss signalled the end of head coach Yvette McCauslandDurie’s decorated coaching tenure with the Pulse.

McCausland-Durie is finishing up with the Pulse after nine seasons across two stints, guiding them to three titles and five grand finals.

Pulse captain Kelly Jury was also playing her 100th national league match. The game swung in the third quarter, where the Stars produced their best netball and were able to unsettle the Pulse. They lifted defensively as a team and stepped it up on attack.

Sport

en-nz

2023-05-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/281921662422878

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