Netball: Tactix finally taste victory

Mwai Kumwenda.

The Mainland Tactix finally got to savour the taste of success tonight, finishing their season with a shock 62-58 win over the high-riding Magic in Christchurch.

With second spot in the New Zealand conference already sewn up, the Magic's resilience was stretched to the limits against a Tactix team with nothing to lose. Tactix shooter Mwai Kumwenda was at her mercurial best in setting the platform for the battling southerners to post their first win in 22 matches, stretching back to round four of last year, and their first-ever win over the Magic.

Magic looked in control for much of the match but could not shake the spirited resolve of the Tactix, who continued to grow in stature the longer the game went on in striving to end their season on high.

Talented young midcourter Erikana Pedersen returned from injury to start at wing attack for the Tactix, while Zoe Walker earned her spot at goalkeeper after a fine effort the week before.

The Magic retained their in-form shooting duo of Jo Harten and Malia Paseka in a familiar line-up from recent weeks.

The home team overcame a stuttering start where they handed the initiative to the Magic on the back of soft turnovers but did well to get back on level terms midway through the stanza.

Kumwenda revelled in the open play, the urgency and purpose of her fellow attackers delivering quality ball in space, the Malawi international duly adding the polish with her finishing touches under the hoop.

Full of exuberant, exciting young talent, both teams delivered a free-flowing style, not entirely error-free, but showcasing high athletic and skill levels.

A model of composure and consistency, Harten was in the midst of a late quarter surge by the Magic, a four-goal scoring streak propelling them to a 15-12 lead at the first break.

Both sides made changes on the resumption, the well-travelled Demelza Fellowes coming on at goalkeeper for the Tactix in her last outing at this level. Magic captain Casey Kopua continued her comeback from injury to replace Kristiana Manu'a at goalkeeper while Ellen Halpenny replaced goal attack Paseka.

It was the Tactix who clicked up a gear to gain the momentum during an exciting second stanza, the lead changing hands several times as the home team mustered a stirring fight-back.

Fellowes made an impact in helping break down the Magic's scoring options while Bailey Mes and Kumwenda provided all sorts of problems for the visitor's defenders. Both teams provided exciting end-to-end movement while the athletic ability and flair of the Tactix rangy shooting duo kept the home well in the contest when locking up the game 29-all at the main break.

In exploring options for the NZ conference finals, the Magic made further changes for the second half, introducing Manu'a to wing defence and moving Jamie-Lee Price to centre.

The changes initially paid dividends with the Magic skipping out to a four-goal lead and threatening to make a decisive move before Tactix regrouped to keep the contest tight.

Again, the plucky Tactix came back strongly, Mes and Kumwenda continuing their strong presence on attack with captain Anna Thompson and Pedersen providing a pin-point service. Improving their ability to convert turnovers, an increasingly-confident Tactix proved good value in levelling up the contest 45-all at the last break and with it the promise of an exciting run home.