Upset win keeps Tactix in touch

The Mainland Tactix have moved one step closer to securing third spot and a place in the national netball premiership finals, after they upset the table-topping Central Pulse 44-39 yesterday.

But the Northern Mystics have remained in hot pursuit, easily taking care of the Northern Stars in the second match on Super Sunday at Pulman Arena in Auckland, 70-52.

The Tactix have just one game left to play – against the Waikatobay of Plenty Magic on July 30 – and have a two-point lead over Mystics – who have two – against the Magic this Wednesday, and the Pulse a week after that.

Looking to topple the Pulse ahead of a potential finals showdown, the Tactix emerged playing with great freedom at the attacking end, looking to find Ellie Bird and make the most of the height and size advantage she had over defender Sulu Fitzpatrick.

Bird finished with 34 goals from 40 attempts, including two at the end of the fourth quarter which kept the Tactix well in front when the Pulse were closing hard at the death.

The teams were whistled for 139 penalties between them, reflective of a scrappy, hardfought contest where defence was to the fore. Fitzpatrick and Katrina Grant did plenty of work for the Pulse, while Jane Watson and Temalisi Fakahokotau were at their best for the Tactix.

The Tactix eked out a small lead at the end of the first quarter, and did well to maintain it in the second and take a two-goal advantage into halftime. In the third quarter, the Pulse surged past them, and it looked like they would remind everyone why they are top of the table, only for the Tactix to come back strongly.

A back-and-forth battle took place for much of the fourth quarter, but the Tactix managed to established a solid lead, with Fakahokotau’s defensive work exemplary, and so they claimed a noteworthy win.