Tactix return to top spot after game of two halves
A punishing first half propelled VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix to a well-constructed 61-53 win over Go Stars Media while reclaiming their status at the top of the table in Christchurch on Sunday.
Having dropped their only match of the season to the Stars in Round 2, the rematch pitted the top team against the bottom team, the Stars having called on 20 players so far while battling a horror run of injuries.
With five centurions in their mix, the Tactix are the most consistent team in the competition and they showed that through a dominant first half. To their credit, the Stars came back strongly to win the second half.
Leading by 16 heading down the home straight, the Tactix were left looking over their shoulder when Marie Hansen, straight out of the Comets team in the National Netball League (NNL) and making her senior debut in the final quarter, stepped in to provide an exciting finale.
Showing no fear, the slightly-built Hansen calmly slotted five super shots on the trot to liven up the Stars performance, adding respectability against the well-drilled Tactix, who could look back on a strong first half buffer to get them over the line.
With strong options at the scoring end, the Tactix opted for Ellie Bird to start under the hoop in an otherwise unchanged line-up.
For the Stars, 1.96m Australian import Charlie Bell returned to the starting spot at goal shoot while former Silver Fern and permanent replacement player Kayla Johnson slotted in at goal defence.
Both teams made solid starts but it didn’t take long for the slick Tactix to defuse the Stars challenge. Setting the tone, experienced defender Jane Watson was in the thick of action early with three deflections and one interception.
Feeding off that form, the attack end leapt into gear, finding seamless movement through court and accuracy under the hoop, a run of eight unanswered goals giving the Tactix the upper hand.
Bird made a stellar start with 16 from 16, the signs looking ominous for the Stars when living off half the possession and trailing 19-10 at the first break.
There was no respite for the Stars on the resumption, Bird’s height and positioning providing the Tactix with an optimal target. Returning from an injury lay-off, Samon Nathan was handed more minutes when coming into wing attack for the Stars while adding impetus to the Stars attack line.
However, the Tactic midcourt unit of Holly Mather, Erikana Pedersen and Paris Lokotui were a cut above with their through-court play and fine feeding. Key play-maker Te Paea Selby-Rickit also had an impressive hand in play in and around the circle.
With Bird taking a rest halfway through, rising young shooter Martina Salmon stepped into the breach, while looking for a change-up, the Stars introduced Crystal Maro at goal attack and Lili Tokaduadua at goalkeeper.
But it was another tough quarter for the visitors after the Tactix took a healthy 36-19 lead into the main break.
Showing some great resilience, the Stars made a good fist of producing a competitive and winning third stanza, 14-13.
The combination of the experienced Nathan and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan in the Stars midcourt produced a lively performance on attack. Delivering precision ball at speed into the hands of Bell gave the Stars their best 15 minutes of the game to that point.
The diminutive Maro, also elevated from the Comets, was a lively contributor from goal attack, including nailing a super shot.
At the other end, Johnson and Tokaduadua proved a handy defensive combination in taking the flow out of the Tactix game. Athletic and strong in the air, the pair played a strong hand in providing turnover opportunities while stalling the Tactix progress.
Under no real threat, the Tactix were still given a solid workout before heading into the last break with a 49-33 lead.