Brave southerners lament close loss

• Published date: 25 May 2023
• Publication title: Southland Express

The Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic shooter slotted the winning goal with about 10sec left on the clock to beat the Southern Steel 53-52 at ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill

The visitors sent Bailey Mes, who played 76 tests for the Silver Ferns and 137 domestic games across her 13-year career, off in style.

The shooter was brought to tears as her team performed a haka at the end of her final game.

Claire Kersten stood alongside Mes, indicating she may have played her last game as well.

The Steel bench and coaching staff were on their feet the entire final quarter, willing their team on.

The boisterous Southland crowd were vocal, too, never afraid to let the umpires know if they thought their calls went the wrong way.

The southerners went so close to notching a first win of the season.

But the Steel became the first team to go through the ANZ Premiership without picking up a win.

There was plenty to be proud of on Sunday, though.

Kate Heffernan was in the thick of everything for the Steel, dogged on defence and calm on attack.

It was a strong defensive start from the Steel, with Sam Winders picking the pocket from the first centre pass. That was followed by a Kate Burley tip and midcourt zone pressure, helping the home side go up 5-1.

Once the Magic settled its attack line punched through and the experience of Ekenasio stood up to take the lead. It was a frantic and, at times, a messy start from both sides desperate to secure a final-game win.

In a bizarre moment, Magic defender Erena Mikaere scored an ‘‘own goal’’ when trying to tip the ball back in court...