Netball: Firebirds too good for the Tactix

Jo Harten of the Tactix. Photo / Getty Images.

The Tactix have won two games in a row on just three occasions in their history and they never threatened to add to that number today.

The Queensland Firebirds romped to a 76-51 over the Tactix in Christchurch this afternoon, showing the clinical efficiency which has taken them to the top of the ANZ Championship.

The Tactix, on the other hand, were consigned to their fifth loss in seven games this season and were unable to build on last week's win over the struggling Northern Mystics.

Perennial strugglers throughout the history of the transtasman competition, the Tactix came into the encounter with two wins from their previous three games, albeit both coming against the Mystics.

But the Canterbury side were also going to find today's task a tough one, and they had no answer for one of the best shooting duos in the competition.

Towering Jamaican Romelda Aiken led the way with 46 goals from 51 attempts, while Australian Diamonds goal attack Natalie Medhurst was almost flawless in three quarters of play. Medhurst made 20 of 21 attempts before the Firebirds' large lead allowed her the luxury of a spell on the sidelines.

Despite Australia defender Laura Geitz remaining in Brisbane for personal reasons, Queensland illustrated their supremacy from the start and ran out to a 21-12 lead after the opening quarter. The Tactix were doing themselves no favours with their handling, committing nine turnovers to their opponents' three.

The visitors were even more dominant in the second quarter, outscoring the Tactix 17-8 to virtually kill off the contest by halftime. The Firebirds eased their foot off the pedal in the second spell, but the Tactix were never going to force their way back into the game.

English goal shoot Jo Harten (33-36) and Julianna Naoupu (13/16) combined for a tidy performance under the goal, but the hosts were undone by 26 turnovers - twice as many as the Australian side.