Tactix tip over leaders
Mystics look more vulnerable while world-class shooter Grace Nweke is out with injury
The Tactix delivered their best game of the season to outclass the top-of-the table Mystics 54-49 in the ANZ Premiership on Saturday. With the odds stacked against them, the Tactix kept their slim homes of making the finals series alive following the rescheduled Round 4 match.
In the process they pocketed their first win of the season against the Mystics after previously succumbing to 19- and 11-goal losses.
Once they got their noses in front late in the second quarter, the Tactix held strong to repel several surges from the home side.
Without influential shooter Grace Nweke, out for a second straight game due to an ankle injury, the Mystics opted for Monica Falkner and Filda Vui under the hoop while tall goalkeeper Kate Lloyd got her second start of the season for the Tactix.
The Tactix made the most of their early opportunities before the home side found their feet to negate the fast start from the visitors, the first stanza developing into a tight arm wrestle.
Experienced shooter Te Paea Selby-rickit was an influential figure in the Tactix attack line in tandem with the ever-present Kimiora Poi but it was the Mystics who got the jump to nudge ahead. Not to be outdone, the Tactix surged back to leave the teams locked at 13-all at the first break.
With Selby-rickit and Ellie Bird providing the accuracy under the hoop and staunch team defence creating turnover opportunities, the Tactix sprung out to a 27-25 lead at the main break.
The Tactix pushed out to a fivegoal lead during the third period before the Mystics replied with a run of their own.
While Selby-rickit and Bird continued their accuracy it was a different story at the other end with the Mystics scorers struggling.
With the Tactix stretching out to as much as a seven-goal lead, the Mystics had plenty to think about when trailing 42-37 at the final turn.
Meanwhile, the Pulse firmed up their prospects of making the finals series with a clinical 59-49 win over the Southern Steel in Invercargill.
The Pulse led at each quarter break while building on their dominance as they went.
Missing just three shots between them, shooters Aliyah Dunn (44/45) and Tiana Metuarau (14/16) set the platform for a strong performance.
Without midcourters Renee Savai’inaea and Kate Hartley along with shooter Saviour Tui due to illness, the Steel introduced Sarapheinna Woulf at wing defence while George Fisher and Georgia Heffernan picked up the shooting duties.
The Pulse remained with their starting seven of recent weeks, rocksolid centre Erikana Pedersen lining up for her 100th national league match.
Punishing anything loose, the Pulse were reliable with their turnover conversion rate as they quickly pushed out to an 8-2 lead and took a 14-10 lead into the first break.
The Steel forced the Pulse to play patiently at times, and showing much more assured play on attack than in their last outing, the visitors did just that, finding a near-flawless Dunn on a regular basis in a handy position under the hoop.
The Pulse’s greater accuracy helped them hit the main break with a 30-24 lead.
The Steel made a storming start to the third quarter, closing the gap immediately
but the Pulse were able to absorb before launching their own reply.
The Pulse defenders were unrelenting with their smothering presence in slowing the Steel’s momentum, Kelly Jury stepping up with four intercepts and seven deflections.
When she got the ball, Fisher was deadly accurate while centre Kate Heffernan and Shannon Saunders were tireless in their endeavours but the constant pressure took a toll, the visitors continuing to build on their buffer when leading 46-37 at the last turn. — Supplied content