Netball: Maclennan's Tactix continue hot start

Jess Maclennan's Mainland Tactix side has two straight victories to start the season. Photo / photosport.nz

Jess Maclennan and the Mainland Tactix continue their top start to the 2018 ANZ Championship with a second consecutive victory.

They came up trumps in a low scoring affair against the Northern Mystics, pulling through for the 42-39 win in Auckland.

The victory keeps them on top of the table with two wins in as many outings while the Mystics pick up a bonus point for finishing within five goals.

Tactix defender Temalisi Fakahokotau starred as they limited the Mystics shooting circle to just a 71 per cent conversion rate on shots.

This was despite the services of Silver Ferns Maria Folau and Bailey Mes.

Maclennan, who missed the bulk of the 2017 season as she recovered from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) she suffered in 2016, has been impressive in leading from the front with the captaincy armband in tow.

Ahead of the season, the goal defender said she was looking forward to leading the side.

"It's such an honour to have been appointed captain of what I believe is a really exciting group of athletes.

"We've got some great players who have joined the Tactix family as well as a new coaching team, so we're looking forward to the start of the season and getting on court.

"We've got people who really want to see the Tactix perform and do well and people who have been through the really tough times and have been through the losses.

"It's those losses you learn the most from. When you've been through those real lows, you don't want to feel like that again."

The presence of Folau didn't worry the Tactix as the game leaned towards a defensive war between the two teams.

The Mystics held the lead early in the contest, up 12-8 at the end of the first quarter before an early second quarter run from the visitors put them in the 13-12 lead.

From there neither team could gain a comfortable lead with goal scoring opportunities hard to come by.

The Tactix eventually pulled away from the Mystics after being all square at 31-all going into the fourth quarter but the play of shooter Elle Bird gave them another two points.