Magic tactics to good for Tactix
Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic showed few chinks as they dismantled the Cantebury Tactix on their way to notching a compelling 65-42 win in ANZ Championship netball in Christchurch on Saturday.
After weathering the competitive Tactix for the first quarter, the Magic took off to completely dominate the rest of the match.
It was a classy outing from the Magic, built on outstanding defence from Leana de Bruin and Casey Williams, clinical through court play and the finishing of shooters Irene van Dyk, who slotted 43 shots from 44 attempts, and Julianna Naoupu.
The Tactix, outclassed in most areas, struggled to convert their opportunities with a lowly shooting return, the Magic recording a fourth straight win as their momentum continues to build.
Coach Leigh Gibbs continued to tinker with the Tactix's problem area when preferring England import Jo Harten and Ellen Halpenny in the shooting circle with their third shooter Anna Thompson slotting in at wing attack. The Magic presented at full strength following injury concerns earlier in the week over key defenders Williams and de Bruin.
Well led by inspiring captain and workhorse centre Maree Bowden, the Tactix held on gamely during the first quarter. The home team needed plenty of patience on attack in the face of de Bruin and Williams, who were in menacing form.
At the other end, van Dyk and Naoupu continued their blossoming partnership under the Magic hoop on the back of slick through court transition with a reliable and accurate showing as the visitors edged to a 14-12 lead at the first break.
The Magic made their move on the resumption, producing a massive second quarter as they went about imposing complete dominance. Scoring the first six goals and keeping the Tactix scoreless for six minutes, the Magic went into overdrive.
A rejig of their midcourt did little for the home team, the Tactix shooters being forced out wide as the rangy figures of de Bruin and Williams created a wealth of turnover ball. At the other end the Magic attackers revelled in the space they were afforded, piling on the goals with punishing accuracy.
Old problems surfaced for the Tactix, their shooting accuracy sitting on just 65 percent compared to the Magic’s 88, including a perfect 14 from 14 for van Dyk. Restricting the Tactix to just five goals for the quarter, the Magic were well in control when leading 29-17 at the main break.
The lacklustre Tactix effort produced wholesale changes for the second half which made the home team more competitive but it was always going to be a case of playing catch-up.
There was no let-up from the Magic, their relentless defence proving an endless struggle for the Tactix to breach while fleet-footed captain Laura Langman provided the fluency through the midcourt. Van Dyk continued to shine in the circle, her movement, timing and accuracy leaving the Tactix defenders with few answers.
Showing the intent to keep maximum pressure on their opponents, the Magic showed no mercy, converting a whopping 20 goals for the stanza as they went to the last break in full control with a 49-29 lead.
In a rare occurrence, Langman was forced to the bench with an ankle injury, the versatile Jess Tuki taking over the centre’s bib as the Magic rolled relentlessly on in the run home.
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