Mystics, Tactix score opening round wins
- Dave Worsley
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The Mystics maintained their recent dominance in the Northern Challenge, after second half push for a 71-55 win over an injury-ravaged Stars at Eventfinda Stadium ito open their season..
The Stars were forced into change after facing an injury crisis when losing the service of three starting players through the match.
After losing the services of defenders Greer Sinclair and Kate Burley, there was more gloom when shooter Charlie Bell was carried off with an ankle injury with just over a minute remaining in the match.
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Sinclair departed just before the first quarter break with a knee injury and Burley late in the third quarter with an ankle injury, both playing wing defence at the time of their demise.
With midcourter Mila Reuelu-Buchanan returning on managed minutes after overcoming a serious knee injury from last season, the Stars resources were stretched thin.
It was the visiting Stars who got away to a flying start, holding sway over the defending champions during the first stanza with Australian import Bell had the honour of sinking the first Super Shot of the opening quarter, the 1.96m sharp shooter igniting a bonanza of double point shots.
However as the game professed from the second quarter onwards the Mystics took control and never looked back as the Stars struggled to overcome injuries and the slick form of the champions.
Meanwhile former Silver Fern Donna Wilkins launched her elite level coaching career in the best possible was as the Tactix scored a 57-50 win over the Southern Steel in Christchurch to finish the round.
Honouring the memory of the late Kelly Hutton, who passed away in 2023 from ovarian cancer, and her sister Megan Hutton, both former Canterbury representative with Megan also playing for the Steel, the Hutton Family Trophy was on the line for the first time.
Taking time to find their feet, the Tactix took charge in the second half through their young midcourt pairing of Holly Mather and Parris Petera, a lively defensive contribution from Jane Watson and sure shooting from Martina Salmon.
With the game delicately poised and the Tactix leading 42-41 at the last break the Tactix making a telling push to forge a handy lead in the run home.
Aliyah Dunn, despite being sidelined for two minutes after dangerous play in the final quarter, came back to nail two two-pointers, the southerners remained well in the frame throughout.
The young Steel team made a great fist of challenging the Tactix, whose greater experience proved decisive in the end.
Respective goal shoots, Ellie Bird for the home side and Dunn, in her 100th national league match, suiting up in her hometown colours against her old team, were key figures through the first stanza with both returning blemish-free returns from one-point range.
New signing Carys Stythe made Bird earn her goals, the long reach of the defender, who made the move south during the off-season, grabbed a series of clutch turnover ball.
With five goals on the trot, the Steel grew in confidence through their effective defensive pressure and sure flow through court, the experience of Kimiora Poi and midcourter Serina Daunakamakama having a healthy impact. Drawing level 10 minutes in, Steel goal attack Georgia Heffernan nailed two super shots to nudge the visitors into a 27-26 halftime lead.
A revelation last season, Salmon was injected into the game for the Tactix for the second half alongside wing attack Petera as the teams went goal-for goal throughout a close contest, the shooter going on to have a telling impact.
Watson got some classic turnovers under the Steel hoop as the Tactix flexed their collective muscle, Salmon adding to the home team’s impetus with a third quarter two-pointer to push their buffer out to five.
In a tale for the ages, 40-year-old Steel assistant coach Leota was injected in at wing attack for the visitors for her 211th national league match after playing for several New Zealand and England franchises during a decorated career.
Her presence had the desired result, helping the Steel make another concerted push, a two-pointer from Dunn leaving the match on a knife-edge when the Tactix took a 42-41 lead into the last turn.