Source: Radio New Zealand
(L-R) Assistant coach Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Laura Balmer and Ash Barnett celebrate victory over the Stars. Photosport
It’s a South Island one-two at the midway point of netball’s ANZ Premiership after the Tactix held out the Stars 52-50 in the closest finish of the season after five rounds.
The defending champion Tactix joined the Steel on four wins to lead the standings at the midway point of the reduced competition, although the Steel own top spot courtesy of a superior goal percentage.
It was a strong response from the Christchurch-based Tactix on front of their home fans, having been well beaten the previous week by the third-placed Mystics.
It was a second loss for the fourth-placed Stars but they were never out of the contest, leading after the first quarter before trailing by one goal at halftime and by three going into the final stanza.
Mila Reuelu-Buchanan of the Stars and Holly Mather of the Tactix tussle for the ball during their ANZ Premiership netball match. Photosport
The visitors snatched a two-goal lead midway through the final quarter, boosted by key turnovers by defender Kate Burley, and they were still ahead with about three minutes to play.
Tactix coach Donna Wilkins called a timeout and her team responded, snaring a turnover and going on to score the final three goals of the game.
Shooter Hanna Glen, in her first match, shot a solid 34 from 38 attemptsl, forging a good partnership with wing attack Taiana Day who started again in place of injured captain Erikana Pedersen.
The Stars’ Silver Ferns shooting pairing of Amelia Walmsley (35/36) and Martina Salmon (15/17) were accurate but didn’t put up the same number of shots as Glen and Amorangi Malesala (17/20)
Victory was the ninth in a row at home for the Tactix.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand