Crucial wins for Tactix and Stars in ANZ Premiership

The Tactix have climbed into the top four of the ANZ netball Premiership with a 61-56 win over the Southern Steel at the Christchurch Arena.

Tactix captain Kimiora Poi led the charge with 17 goal assists and 29 feeds – and two crucial interceptions when it mattered most.

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Karin Burger was a force with her athleticism and anticipation being one of many highlights for the Tactix on a day when they held their composure in the tense last quarter.

Te Paea Selby-Rickit scored 18 goals from 20 attempts while doing a wealth of work bringing the ball into the circle. Ellie Bird did the majority of the shooting, securing 43 goals from 44 attempts for the Cantabrians.

Through the first quarter there was nothing separating the teams with Steel building a four-goal lead. The teams headed into the changing rooms at half-time with two goals separating them.

With the game tied up at 45-all at three quarter time, the result came down to which side could effectively manage the pressure in the final 15 minutes.

Stars shine as they edge the Pulse

Delivering an ingenious defensive solution, the Northern Stars defeated Central Pulse 49-44 at the TSB Arena in Wellington.

The win sees the Stars and Pulse locked up on 22 points, with the Auckland side making their run as the Finals Series approaches.

Playing their second game of the weekend – after defeating the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 67-53 on Saturday – the Stars backed up with plenty of energy for the dramatic last quarter.

The inventive fix to Anna Harrison’s unavailability saw former Silver Fern Leana de Bruin rushed into the Auckland side to partner Elle Temu.

De Bruin, who was making her second league appearance of the 2022 season, inspired her team-mates with the Stars’ defensive unit working cohesively.

Despite her strong outing, de Bruin’s work was done by half-time and she was replaced by Kayla Johnson.

For the Stars, circle defender Elle Temu, goal attack Amorangi Malesala, and midcourter Mila Reuelu-Buchanan made the difference to split the teams on the scoreboard. But team work across the court was also a factor for the Stars.

Temu grabbed six gains, two intercepts and three deflections, backing up from a superb performance in her side’s win yesterday.

Malesala was brought on for Jamie Hume at goal attack and helped the team gain momentum, scoring eight of her 10 attempts, while Stars shooter Maia Wilson scored 36 from 42.

Both sides started the game with confidence, with the Stars building a two-goal lead at the first quarter break.

With neither side giving an inch, the game was anyone’s at three quarter time with the Stars showing more poise and drive in the last quarter to outscore the Pulse by three goals.

For the Pulse, defender Kelly Jury won 10 gains and four deflections in a stunning individual performance, with Maddy Gordon also coming into strong form at the back of the season.