IT was a big Round 5 of netball action with plenty of close games throughout the round. The Tactix claimed their second win of the season leaving the Northern Mystics winless. Meanwhile, the Central Pulse have pushed out their lead and are sitting two games clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.

Mainland Tactix (52) defeated Northern Mystics (48)

The Tactix skipped out to a big lead in the opening half, scoring 26 goals to the Mystics’ 15. It was not until the fourth quarter that the Mystics took back control, nailing 20 goals in one quarter, but it was too late with Tactix doing enough to hold on.

Ellie Bird seemed to be the main difference between the two sides with Bird showcasing her dominance under the post, slotting 44 goals from 52 attempts and sitting at 85 percent. Her smooth movement in the goal circle and use of angles allowed centre, Kimmiora Poi and wing attack, Samon Nathan to feed the ball in with ease. Jane Watson impressed in goal keeper racking up seven deflections, three intercepts and two rebounds. She paired well with her partner in crime, Sophia Fenwick who applied plenty of pressure, picking up four gains and two rebounds for her efforts. While she impressed with her defensive efforts, Fenwick also provided some attacking flair down the court with four goal assists.

The Mystics’ attacking end struggled to combat the defensive pressure of the Tactix with goal attack, Bailey Mes and Jamie Hume unable to capitalise under the post sitting at 59 and 38 per cent respectively. Mes chipped in with 13 goals while goal shooter, Grace Nweke played her part after being brought on in the second quarter, scoring 32 goals for the game. The last quarter proved to be the turning point for the Mystics with Nweke nailing 18 goals and wing attack, Emma Iversen finding the circle edge with ease, racking up 17 feeds. Goal defence, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson starred with five gains, two intercepts, five deflections and one rebound.

Central Pulse (54) defeated Southern Steel (50)

In a top of the table clash it was the Central Pulse that came away with a four-goal win against a dominant Steel outfit. This win makes it five in a row for the Pulse who have stamped their authority on the competition.

The Pulse were forced to play around with their line-up, bringing on youngster Tiana Metuarau after star goal shooter, Aliyah Dunn went to the bench in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. But when she returned to the court in the second half she showcased her ability to hit the scoreboard, nailing 20 goals from 23 attempts sitting at 87 percent. Ameliaranne Ekenasio found herself in goal shooter in the second quarter before transitioning into goal attack in the third term, leading the way for the Pulse with 34 from 37 at 92 percent. Once again the defensive unit of Karin Burger, Sulu Fitzpatrick and Katrina Rore combined exceptionally well, collecting nine gains and three intercepts between them. Through the midcourt Whitney Souness did a wealth of work while centre, Claire Kersten used her dynamic footwork and clever drives to feed the ball into the circle.

After a dominant start in the first quarter the Southern Steel failed to maintain their intensity, losing the next three quarters. Goal attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit was once again dominant and accurate under the post with her 18 goals while South African, Lenize Potgieter made her presence felt in the goal circle during the first half. Potgieter managed 23 goals while her replacement at half time, Jennifer O’Connell slotted nine goals. Both Gina Crampton and Shannon Saunders worked hard throughout the midcourt with timely feeds and good vision to release the ball into the circle. Defensively, Te Huinga Selby-Rickit impressed for the Steel with four gains, two intercepts, three deflections and two rebounds. Abby Erwood was also important down in defence credit to her smothering hands over, collecting three gains, one intercept, five deflections and two rebounds but it was not enough to push the Steel over the line.

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic (47) Northern Stars (57)

After a close start, it was the Northern Stars who came out victorious thanks to a dominant third term, keeping the Magic to a mere five goals. The Stars had a point to prove and showed that they are the real deal, winning against the Magic who could not contain the Stars’ shooting power.

Magic pushed the Stars in the opening half, staying within striking distance but fell away in the third term credit to some impressive defensive pressure applied by the Stars. Defensively, the Magic were strong once again with Casey Kopua and Kelly Jury doing a wealth of work in disrupting the attacking flow of their opposition. Their hands over pressure and ability to get hands to ball created real doubt in the shooters’ minds but it was not enough to nullify their influence at the post. Kelsey McPhee got the nod in at goal shooter and did not disappoint, nailing 19 goals, while goal attack, Monica Falkner showed off her athleticism clever drives. While accuracy did not seem to be a major problem, it was the penetration through the centre of the court and into the attacking end that proved to be an area of concern for the Magic with the likes of Simmon Howe and Ariana Cable-Dixon struggling to feed the ball into the circle.

The Northern Stars’ defence was suffocating, forcing plenty of errors from the Magic who were unable to combat their intensity. Storm Purvis, Leana De Bruin and Kayla Cullen combined exceptionally well to clog up the middle corridor for Waikato Bay and managed to get their hands to plenty of the ball. The introduction of Kate Burley into goal defence and Holly Fowler into centre was seamless showcasing the Stars ability to transition with ease and find good connections down the court. Temepara Bailey played an exceptional game credit to her netball smarts, quick hands, strong drives and good vision to open up the circle. Shooters, Maia Wilson and Ellen Halpenny were once again impressive under the ring, with Wilson nailing 36 goals while her partner in crime slotted 21 from 23 attempts sitting at 91 percent.