Tactix edge Magic; Mystics pip Stars
The Mainland Tactix heaped more misery on the struggling Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic.
A strong fourth quarter showing from the Tactix powered them to a 51-48 victory in the ANZ Premiership’s bottom of the table battle at Takanini’s Pulman Arena yesterday.
The Magic will be disappointed when they look back at the tape, knowing this is a game they could have easily won, leading for most of the match.
This was the seventh straight loss for the Magic after opening the season with awin over the defending champion Mystics and likely means they will finish last for the third straight year.
There were frequent moments in the match where the Magic led by three to four goals, but they were unable to pull away from the plucky Tactix, who were always in the game.
Silver Ferns’ hopeful Ameliaranne Ekenasio returned from a Covid-19 absence for the Magic, playing the second half at goal attack, but she couldn’t inspire them to victory.
Ekenasio, who will be looking to impress and build up her court time over the second half of the season tomake the Ferns’ Commonwealth Games squad, shot nine goals from 11 attempts in her 30 minutes on court.
The 47-test shooter, who was a vital member of the 2019 Netball World Cup-winning side, had gradually been building up her
minutes to start the season after giving birth to daughter Luna in November.
Little separated the sides for most of the match with the largest lead for either side being four goals.
The Magic took a two-goal lead into halftime and were ahead 40-39 entering the final 15 minutes, but couldn’t gain an elusive victory.
It was a tense final quarter, but the class of the Tactix shone through, led by Karin Burger in the defensive end and Kimiora Poi at centre.
The Tactix outscored the Magic 12-8 in the final term, causing problems with their defensive pressure through the court.
This was the third win of the season for the Tactix, but they will need to pick up victories in the bulk of their remaining round games to keep their faint finals hopes alive.
Bailey Mes was impressive again in the shooting end for the Magic after struggling 24 hours earlier against the Stars.
Mes converted 26 from 31 and was busy in the attacking end.
The 32-year-old has looked a different player this season after battling knee issues and form last year with the Mystics. She must be knocking on the Ferns’ Commonwealth Games selection door with her ability to cover both shooting positions and also step in at wing attack if needed.
The Magic were left to lament a slow start to the final quarter, where the Tactix punished their mistakes and grew in confidence.
In the other match yesterday, defending champions Northern Mystics had a thrilling 54-51 win over crosstown rivals Stars at Pulman Arena.
The win sees theMystics, with 26 points, inch closer towards securing top spot and a home grand final.
The Central Pulse, who have a game in hand, are eight points back on the table and must keep winning to catch the tabletopping Mystics.
Keep going the way they are and the Mystics look headed for top spot at the end of round play, which will give them an automatic spot in the June 12 grand final.
Just two weeks ago, the Mystics thumped the Stars by 24 goals (68-44), but it was a different story yesterday.
Trailing for virtually the entire match, the Stars finished strongly, closing to within two goals (51-49) with two minutes left.
Justwhen it appeared the Stars might pull off an upset win, Jamie Hume coughed up possession, getting a faint touch on the baseline to hand the ball back to the Mystics.