Netball: Tactix look to kickstart stalled season

After a series of near upsets in the opening rounds of the ANZ Championship, the Canterbury Tactix are hoping they can finally get over the line when they take on the Southern Steel in Christchurch today.

The Tactix have come close to claiming some big scalps in recent weeks, taking the Adelaide Thunderbirds to overtime in round three, and suffering a narrow two-goal loss to the Magic the following round.

Now fresh from a week off, the Tactix are looking to kickstart their season in round seven with a strong performance against the Steel, who are riding high after their decisive win over the Mystics last Monday, cementing them in fifth spot.

Despite proving a competitive side, the Tactix have just two points to their name courtesy of a round-two win over the West Coast Fever. They hope to drag themselves off the bottom of the ladder by reversing their four-goal loss to Steel back in round four.

The Northern Mystics also have a shot at redemption this weekend when they take on the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, who beat them 51-38 in the opening round. The Magic continue to be the strongest of the New Zealand sides, sitting second on the table.

The West Coast Fever clash against competition-leaders the Melbourne Vixens.

In the other all-Australian match-up, Queensland Firebirds and NSW Swifts meet for the first time, with defending champions the Swifts desperate for a win after two successive defeats.

ANZ CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 7

Today: 2pm Canterbury Tactix v Southern Steel, Christchurch.
Tomorrow: 4.30pm West Coast Fever v Melbourne Vixens, Perth.
Monday: 7pm Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic v Northern Mystics, Rotorua; 9pm NSW Swifts v Queensland Firebirds, Sydney.
BYE: Adelaide Thunderbirds, Central Pulse.