Last-gasp win sees Stars in grand final

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, on 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 would have tasted sweet for the Stars, who had twice lost to the Pulse in ANZ Premiership

grand finals – including last year’s decider.

While this was an elimination final, the Stars will soak up their win before they reset for a juicy final against their crosstown

At a glance

At Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua: Stars 53 (Maia Wilson: 36/38, Amorangi Malesala: 17/21) Pulse 52 (Amelia Walmsley: 41/45, Tiana Metuarau: 11/13) 1Q: 12-14, HT: 25-29, 3Q: 41-37.

Auckland rivals.

There was a hollow feeling at Porirua’s Te Rauparaha Arena at fulltime. The loss signalled the end of head coach Yvette McCausland-Durie’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.

After struggling to convert turnover ball to goal in the first half, scoring four goals from eight opportunities, the Stars clicked into gear in the second half.

They lifted defensively as a team and at the other end of the court, stepped it up on attack – with Silver Fern duo Maia Wilson and Gina Crampton taking over.

The Stars delivered a dominant third quarter effort, outscoring the Pulse 16-8 to take a crucial four-goal lead (41-37) into the final 15 minutes.

After a poor third quarter, the inevitable Pulse comeback came, setting up a tense finish.

Jury produced a key tip late in the game, which the Pulse scored from. They then converted their next possession, but were guilty of taking too much time off the clock.

That levelled the score at 52-52 with 20 seconds to go. The Stars didn’t muck about and safely got the ball into their shooting end with Malesala sinking the biggest goal of her career.*