The VIP Frames and Trusses Tactix came away with a convincing 57-50 win over the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in their first match of the ANZ Premiership in a high quality game of Sunday night netball.
The Tactix maintained their dominance over their southern rival, going unbeaten by the Steel in their last 9 matches, with a passionate home crowd on the edge of their seats while the teams fought for ball possession.
Coming onto the court for her debut, Holly Mather took on the starting position at centre commanding the midcourt and convincingly feeding the ball into the goal circle.
Captain Erikana Pedersen led the team through a close first quarter achieving a four point lead but with equal ball possession between the sides, the Tactix went into halftime with only a one point advantage.
With the match neck-and-neck through the second quarter, the Steel stole valuable possession with interceptions in the midcourt changing the tide for the two teams, with the Steel leading at halftime.
Goal shoot Ellie Bird set the winning tone, maintaining 90% shooting accuracy throughout the first half while Martina Salmon (on her debut for the Tactix) brought the heat to the goal circle, sinking the first two-point goal for the Tactix in the third quarter.
Both sides utilised the new time-out rule, taking the opportunity to break the flow of play during the second quarter, while the Tactix remained conservative on 2-point goal attempts, with all shots (bar one) achieved from within the goal circle.
The international pairing of Jane Watson and Karin Burger were hot on defence, maintaining pressure in the Steel shooting circle, proving to be critical following the Steel’s twelve, 2-point shot missed attempts.
The victory provides the Tactix with a convincing boost, solidifying coach Donna Wilkins preseason efforts to turn the new squad into a cohesive unit.
Next week the team takes on the Stars at Pulman Arena in Auckland.
