Victory in milestone match rewards service to Tactix
Jane Watson cut a stern figure for much of her milestone match, but finally let out a smile at fulltime.
The Silver Ferns defender was clearly up for the occasion yesterday as she joined a rare club to play 150 national league netball games.
Watson celebrated the achievement in style with the Tactix edging the Stars 59-54, continuing their perfect start to the ANZ Premiership.
The Tactix led by six at halftime, but the Stars hit the lead for the first time in the match in the third quarter.
Naturally it was Watson who provided the key spark for the Tactix.
She broke up a pass from wing attack Gina Crampton, intercepting the ball, to lift her side as the Stars threatened to crash her party.
This was a fitting result for a player who has been a cornerstone for the Tactix and influential in turning around the one-time perennial strugglers.
Aside from three years at the Steel from 2015-17, Watson has spent the bulk of her career with the red-and-blacks. She debuted for the Tactix in 2012 in the former trans-Tasman league and has played 108 games for the side.
Watson looks happy and healthy on court after a frustrating 2023.
The veteran defender was hampered by a lower leg injury, which limited her effectiveness and court time.
She was barely sighted in the crunch games of the Netball World Cup. Later in the year, Watson only got on court in two of the seven matches in the Taini Jamison Trophy and Constellation Cup, playing a total of 73 minutes.
Watson looks motivated for a big season and will be targeting a starting spot in the Silver Ferns again.
The Stars’ methodical play on attack made it difficult for Watson and the Tactix defenders to pick up regular defensive ball.
They were accurate with what they did pick up with shooters Ellie Bird and Te Paea Selby-Rickit both excellent in the shooting end. The duo missed just four of their 63 attempts (94%).
Bird is only playing after answering an injury SOS to come out of retirement and temporarily fill the void of goal shoot AliyahDunn.
She has been effective in both of the Tactix wins and was tough to contain for the Stars, finishing with 47 from 51. Selby-Rickit has also made a pleasing start to the season. The 64-test veteran landed a perfect 12 from 12, capping the win with a silky long shot to end the game.
The Stars will take plenty from the match, especially the second half where they looked their most dangerous.
Playing her first full game in the goal attack bib for the Stars, Silver Ferns shooter Maia Wilson looked the part with 31 from 38.
Wilson, who predominantly plays goal shoot, is eager to step out to goal attack more often this season to increase her selection chances with the Ferns.
This was an encouraging starting point for Wilson.
The Stars look to have unearthed a special talent in young goal shoot Summer Temu, the younger sister of former Silver Ferns defender Elle Temu.
Temu replaced Rahni Samason to start the second quarter and had a wonderful match, landing all 20 of her attempts. She was undaunted playing against Ferns defenders Watson and Karin Burger.
In Saturday’s match, the Pulse continued their perfect start under new head coach Anna Andrews-Tasola to move to 2-0.
The Pulse kept the Magic winless to start the new season, prevailing 56-44 in the capital.
They led by just two goals at halftime (24-22), but pulled away in the third quarter where they outscored the Magic 18-11.
The defending champion Mystics meet the Steel in Invercargill on today (7.45pm start) with the southerners on a 19-game losing streak, dating back to May 22, 2022.