Clean sweep for Tactix at pre-season
The Trident Homes Tactix completed a clean sweep after signing off with a comprehensive 52-36 win over Avis Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic at the Te Wānanga o Raukawa hosted ANZ Premiership pre-season netball tournament in Ōtaki on Sunday.
On the final day of the tournament, the new-look Tactix gave ample evidence of the firepower in their ranks, seamlessly changing combinations through the match without missing a beat or detracting from the task at hand.
There was much interest centred on the all-international circle which hosted Tactix defenders Jane Watson and Karin Burger against Magic shooters Bailey Mes and Ameliaranne Ekenasio.
The defensive pairing went on to hold the upper hand when the Tactix led 13-9 at the first break. At the other end, the Tactix had little trouble getting ball into the safe hands of shooters Aliyah Dunn, Vika Koloto and Te Paea Selby-Rickit during their spells on court.
The Tactix dominated the possession stakes, Dunn needing no second invitation along the way in converting 34 shots from 37 while Watson, Burger (at both goal and wing defence) and Kate Lloyd provided a constant and disruptive defensive onslaught.
The Robinhood Stars posted their first win of the tournament with a dour 48-46 win over Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in the final match of the programme.
Neither team could get into their stride, a flowing spectacle being restricted by a high error count.
With the teams all square at the first break, the Pulse took narrow leads into half and three-quarter time before the Stars pounced and finished with more consistency and accuracy.
The Stars shooting trio of captain Maia Wilson, Amorangi Malesala and Crystal Maro were consistent performers along with defender Elle Temu while young Pulse shooter Amelia Walmsley continued to impress throughout the tournament.
The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel started the final day in perfect style when they upended a well-credentialled MG Mystics 54-42.
Falling behind early, the southerners made no race of it to take a three-goal lead into the first break which they continued to extend through the match.
The Steel’s shooting trio of Georgia Heffernan, Eseta Autagavaia and Jess Allan all chipped in with effective and accurate outings against a strong Mystics defensive unit. The numbers told the story with the Steel enjoying 19 more shots at goal than their opponents.
Showing more patience and greater accuracy across the court, the Steel reaped the rewards while their constant smothering through-court defence denied the Mystics any flow and contributed to a high error count. The in-circle pairing of Kate Burley and Courtney Elliott did a fine job of disrupting the flow to key Mystics weapon Grace Nweke.
In her new role of wing attack with the Steel, Sam Winders was proactive with her banter and niggle throughout while delivering a stream of snappy feeds to her shooters.
The Steel were able to absorb everything the Mystics could muster which included towering shooter Nweke having a stint at goal attack for the final quarter.
Day 3 results:
Steel 54 Mystics 42
Tactix 52 Magic 36
Stars 48 Pulse 46