Tactix go unbeaten at pre-season event

At a glance

The Mainland Tactix gave an early glimpse why they will be contenders for the ANZ Premiership title this season.

Last year’s beaten finalists have a formidable squad, retaining the bulk of their successful side and adding Silver Ferns defender Karin Burger from the Central Pulse.

They demonstrated their quality at the premiership’s pre-season tournament in O¯ taki over the weekend, being the only side not to lose a match.

The Tactix opened with a 55-39 win over the Pulse on Friday in a rematch of last year’s premiership final.

On Saturday, the red-and-blacks backed that up with a 64-56 victory over

Tactix 55, Pulse 39; Magic 40, Mystics 32; Stars 60, Steel 34; Pulse 57, Magic 46.

Tactix 64, Mystics 56; Stars

47, Magic 27; Mystics 66, Steel 57; Pulse

61, Stars 53.

Magic 69, Steel 49; Stars 49, Tactix 49; Pulse 55, Mystics 53.

the Mystics.

In their final match yesterday, the Tactix and Stars played out a thriller, resulting in a 49-49 draw.

Two-time defending champions, the Pulse, went 3-1, suffering their only loss to the Tactix in the opening game. Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne

Ekenasio did not take the court for the Pulse, being rested.

Kiri Wills’ new-look Stars impressed, thumping the Steel 60-34 and the Magic 47-27 in their first two matches. They were beaten 61-53 by the Pulse on Saturday, but rebounded to push the Tactix all the way in their drawn contest.

The Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic, featuring Australian shooting standout Caitlin Bassett, had a mixed bag, toppling the Mystics and Steel, but losing to the Pulse and Stars.

With all teams using the pre-season fixtures to trial a raft of combinations and managing key players’ workloads, it is wise not to read too much into the early results.

The ANZ

April 18.

ANZ Premiership pre-season results: Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday:

Premiership begins on