The defending champion VIP Frames & Trusses Tactix have been forced to dig deep to maintain their unbeaten status after claiming a seven-goal thriller over the Avis Magic in Hamilton.
Captain Erikana Pedersen left the court in the third quarter of the Round 3 match, after landing awkwardly on her arm with Parris Petera replaced her to quell a hungry home team with the Magic searching for their first win in what was arguably their best performance in 2026. Tactix will remain at the top spot in the ANZ Premiership, following the 53-46 win at Claudelands Arena.
Playing in her 100th ANZ Premiership match, Magic defender Erena Mikaere came out for a stunning intercept on the opening whistles and the hustle and heart shown from the hosts almost got them over the line.
But the Tactix stepped up when it mattered most – led by two-point shooting star Amorangi Malesala who netted five two-point shots in the game – winning the last quarter 15-9 to also deny the Magic a bonus point.
Playing with speed and precision, the Tactix raced out to a 3-0 start, but it was a match which certainly tested the mettle of the new look red-and-black team.
The disconnect between the Magic’s midcourt and shooting circle was obvious early in the match and adding to their woes, an injury to Magic shooter Saviour Tui was not the start the home side needed, leaving the court after three minutes with Kate Taylor moving to goal shoot and Sarah Guiney coming from the bench to goal attack.
Five goals down, Magic coach Mary-Jane Araroa needed to talk to her side looking for a reset and their first points in the game.
Taylor delivered as the Magic looked to settle into their work, but the well-oiled Tactix were focused on building a match-winning advantage.
Tui returned to the court midway through the first spell as the lead threatened to blow out, and her injection back into play helped the Magic find some rhythm on attack, trailing by seven goals with five minutes to play.
A flurry of turnover ball played in favour of the Magic as they slowed the scoring ability of the Tactix shooting combination, and by the first break they had turned a seven-goal deficit to trail just 10-13.
Tactix coach Donna Wilkins went to her bench for the second quarter with Josie Seymour replacing Fa’amu Muliaga, and only one goal separated the teams after five minutes.
Goal attack Amorangi Malesala stepped up with two crucial two-point shot for the Tactix and they went into the halftime break with a 26-22 lead.
With five minutes remaining of the third quarter Wilkins switched the duo of Ash Barnett and Laura Balmer around, then another double serve of two-point shots from Malesala to edge the Tactix ahead 38-37 heading into the last 15 minutes of play
