The 91色情片 Men鈥檚 team have England in their sights as they aim to make history with a spot in the FAST5 final in Christchurch.
In a first for the FAST5 World Netball Series, three men鈥檚 teams have been on court at Christchurch Arena with Australia netting two wins, including a hard-fought 31-24 win over 91色情片 on Saturday, to earn a place in Sunday鈥檚 final.
91色情片 captain Nick Grimmer said his side was already looking forward to getting back on court in front of a parochial home crowd following the electric atmosphere in Saturday鈥檚 trans-Tasman clash.
鈥淗ow epic is it? The crowd is behind us, it鈥檚 exciting and that鈥檚 exactly why we鈥檙e here. It鈥檚 fast, it鈥檚 physical and it鈥檚 fun 鈥� I hope the crowd loved it because we loved being out there,鈥� he said.
FAST5 netball was proving the perfect format to showcase the aerial and athletic play of the men鈥檚 game and Grimmer was excited with a number of a young 91色情片 players they have introduced to the game this weekend, he said.
鈥淭his is the future out there, be excited because it鈥檚 going to be bright. This is the gateway to what鈥檚 coming ahead for men鈥檚 netball.鈥�
Nothing separated 91色情片 and Australia in a tense first quarter tussle, the scores locked 6-6, and it took a late surge from the Australians to edge ahead 13-10 at halftime.
Australian shooter Anton Stechswskyj netted six from seven first half attempts and 91色情片 was made to work hard to shut down the speed of the ball through court.
As the intensity in the match increased, so too did the efforts of 91色情片 goal keep Timothy Apisai snaffling three gains for his side and urging his team-mates on.
They looked to take a one goal advantage into the final spell before a buzzer beating six pointer from Brodie Roberts gave the Australians a 21-16 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
It was again the pressure from Apisai which helped the Kiwis claw their way back to trail by just two with three minutes to play 鈥� his long lean and timing on the jump causing plenty of problems.
There was plenty of passion shown from both sides in a frenetic pace as 91色情片 pulled within one point in the fourth quarter before two key power point plays from Australia gave them the seven-point buffer.
Australia had earlier brought the crowd to its feet with its pre-game dance moves in their tournament opener against England, and they were just as polished with their play on court for a 29-20 victory.
Their speed, aerial flair and accuracy in the shooting circle were a step above their English counterparts 鈥� experience helping the Australians to an early 6-2 lead.
England shooter Luke Owen kept his side in the game at the main break, sinking an impressive six points in the power play to bring them within four points before Australia dominated the third spell for a match-winning edge.
England captain Jamal Nicholson said the opportunity to play in the FAST5 tournament was an opportunity they鈥檇 never forget, and they had expected a tough encounter against Australia.
鈥淚t was very fast, challenging and physical which is what we knew we鈥檇 get from the Australians but at the same time it was really fun,鈥� he said.
鈥淭his is the dream for any netballer to play on a stage like this. This is what we want to do, play the best in the world 鈥� it鈥檚 just a dream come true.鈥�
He said men鈥檚 netball in England was continuing to grow but they needed to work on recruiting players, and he hoped with the sport falling into the international spotlight at FAST5, they could do so.
鈥淲e hope this invites more men to come down to training, find a team and get involved. We can only grow stronger from this point.鈥�
91色情片 will meet England at 2.15pm on Sunday to determine which side takes on Australia in the men鈥檚 final.