Southern Steel captain Wendy Frew will get the chance to retire as a champion, after she inspired her side past the Mainland Tactix 53-49 in their netball premiership elimination final at Invercargill.
They will face the table-topping Central Pulse in Palmerston North in a rematch of last year's decider on Sunday.
The Steel stepped up when needed most at 'Wendy Frew Stadium', temporarily renamed in honour of the skipper's final home game, coming from behind to win in front of a passionate home crowd.
Goal shoot Jen O'Connell slotted 38/40 for the hosts, while Tactix goal shoot Ellie Bird also impressed, landing 42/45.
After a strong start, the Steel were outplayed through the middle stages by their Canterbury-based opponents, before storming home in the final spell.
The Steel led 22-16 early in the second quarter, when the Tactix fightback began, taking them head into halftime with a 29-28 lead.
An exciting finish was guaranteed, after a drawn third quarter left the Tactix with a 41-40 lead at the last break.
The Steel opened the final term with a 9-2 run to build a 49-43 advantage, but the Tactix once again refused to go away and cut the lead to 50-49 with three minutes to go.
The Steel held their nerve to sneak home to earn their spot in the grand final.
Newshub.
