A record ANZ Premiership crowd was rewarded with some of The Good Oil Tactix’ best play this season to the delight of coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek.
Over 5000 fans, a league record, flocked to the Horncastle Arena in Christchurch to see the red-and-blacks beat the Stars 52-42 and climb into second spot on the league ladder.
Delaney-Hoshek said it meant a lot to play in front of family, friends and supporters and even better to produce the goods for them.
“I just felt strongly that we’ve been playing so well that I really wanted to play well at home for our friends and family,” she said.
“It was amazing, an amazing atmosphere and I’m just proud of what the team put out there.”
The Tactix are back on the road for Sunday’s game in Hamilton against the Magic and despite the host’s lowly placing on the ANZ Premiership table, will be wary of a side desperate to win for their fans.
“They’re a really energetic team and I don’t think the points reflect what they’ve been putting out there,” Delaney-Hoshek said.
“We’ll need to recover well and build again because every game from here on in is so important.”
A dominant second quarter and all-out effort in the fourth set up the Tactix for their third win on the trot which keeps them firmly in the race for a finals berth.
A clinical performance on attack in the opening half left the Stars searching for combinations to stem the flow of pin-point ball into shooter Ellie Bird who was a key target.
Delaney-Hoshek said she was pleased to see her forward line continue to build on their strengths and also absorb the pressure when their opponent brought something new, the Stars closing the gap to three goals in the third spell.
“They changed up their combinations and it took us a little while to work out what they were doing but I think we got it near the end of the quarter and were able to change it out there on court,” she said.
“It’s something we’ve been talking about, being able to change things when you’re in the heat of the battle. That’s a new level we’re getting to which is really good.”
A draw against the Magic the last time they met means the Tactix know they must prepare well for an opponent which is returning home for the first time this season.
“They will be wanting to perform for their home crowd, just as we did, so we know that we’re in for a good game.”
