Tactix hold on for Premiership win over Magic
- Dave Worsley
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
A big last quarter helped the Tactix hold on for a tight 48-44 win over a gallant Magic in Hamilton on Sunday.
With both teams coming into the match off losses, there was plenty of pride at stake, the game providing an exciting spectacle which ebbed and flowed as the lead changed hands numerous times.
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With the Tactix leading by one heading into the final quarter, the game was there for the taking, both teams having their opportunities but the unrelenting defence provided for 60 minutes by the old firm of Karin Burger and Jane Watson proved the deciding factor.
Both were inspiring figures throughout as they hauled the Tactix back into the contest during lulls in their momentum. Still searching for their first win but coming away with a bonus point for finishing within five, the Magic produced their best outing of the season and had strong contributors in captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio and influential defenders Georgie Edgecombe and Georgia Tong.
With Ali Wilshier ruled out after suffering a head knock last week, seasoned campaigner Ariana Cable-Dixon was introduced as her replacement in the Magic midcourt. For the Tactix, Martina Salmon got the nod at goal shoot in a settled line-up.
Strong defence was a feature from both teams early on which forced the respective attacking ends into multiple phases of play while testing patience.
With long-serving Tactix goal attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit orchestrating play at the front end of the court, through pin-point delivery to Salmon under the hoop, the visitors gradually got the better of the arm-wrestle.
At the other end, the accomplished defensive pairing of Watson and Burger combined with wing defence Paris Lokotui, forced the Magic shooters to work overtime as errors also crept in for the home side.
A Selby-Rickit two-pointer pushed the Tactix to handy lead before a buzzer time two-pointer from Saviour Tui left the Magic within touching distance when trailing 15-10 at the first break.
The second stanza resumed in similar fashion with the Tactix continuing to dictate through their smothering defence as they covered every Magic move.
In a flash, two quick turnovers to tireless Magic wing defence Edgecombe and fellow midcourter Claire O’Brien provided the impetus for a resurgent reply from the home team.
With Ekenasio showing her flair and touch around the shooting circle and the athletic Tong picking up crucial defensive intercepts, the bounce returned to the Magic’s play.
Evening out the possession stakes, Tui nailed a big two-pointer to level the scores, the home side hanging on to nudge into a slim 25-24 lead at the main break.
Ellie Bird replaced Salmon for the second half, with the steady and patient feeding from Erikana Pedersen and Holly Mather swinging momentum back to the Tactix, the visitors breaking the goal-for-goal impasse to re-take the lead.
With Tactix midcourter Lokotui suspended for two minutes for dangerous play, the Magic tried mightily to take advantage of the one player advantage but the visitors did a commendable job of keeping the hosts at bay.
Watson, Burger and Mather were terrific in keeping the Magic shooters away from shooting positions and the ball during this phase to negate the damage while ticking over the one-pointers at the other end.
The Tactix stifling defensive presence nudged the southerners into the lead, a Tui two-pointer bringing the Magic back to the cusp in an exciting spectacle when the teams headed to the last break with the visitors holding a narrow 36-35 lead and the match delicately poised.