Steel beats Tactix to make semis

MAKE sure those heart pills are close by.

The Southern Steel beat the Mainland Tactix 6651 in a mustwin game Super Club match in Nelson last night, setting up a semifinal against the Central Pulse.

The Steel stormed past the Pulse to win the ANZ Premiership final 5453 in Palmerston North just over a week ago and the rivals will play out the sequel tomorrow night.

The Steel made a slow start to the Super Club campaign, losing its first match 6561 to South Africa’s Gauteng Jaguars.

But the Southerners responded with a 8052 win against the Singapore Sneakers and rediscovered top form last night.

Steel shooter Jen O’Connell drilled all 13 attempts in the opening quarter and finished with 44 from 50 in wonderful display of shooting.

But it was young wing defence Kate Heffernan who stood out early.

The 18yearold’s athleticism and balance suggests the international cricketer has a bright future in netball, as well.

The Steel nursed a 1615 lead at the first break but Brooke Leaver’s willingness to shoot twopointers allowed the Tactix to move back in front.

But the lead was only a turn over away and the Steel inched further ahead to take a 2925 halftime lead.

Steel goal attack Olivia Bates found her range from the twopoint zone and the margin quickly ballooned.

The Steel won the quarter 2512, leaving the Tactix with way too much to do in the final period.

Despite the loss, the Tactix is through and will play New South Wales in the early semifinal tomorrow.

New South Wales beat the Sirens from Scotland 5749 to clinch top spot in pool B, and the Pulse thrashed Fiji’s Marama Vou 8135. In the other pool A game, the Gauteng Jaguars dispatched the Sneakers 7247.