FINALLY able to get a crack on court in the 2022 ANZ Premiership season, Northern Stars secured a five-goal win over Mainland Tactix despite a slow start. The Tactix flew out of the blocks in front of a home crowd at Cowles Stadium, but by half-time the scores were level, and the Stars – lead by Most Valuable Player Jamie Hume – were able to win the last two terms and win, 57-52.

Having not played in Round 1 due to COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols in the opposition Central Pulse camp, the Stars had to wait an extra week before getting their chance, and they opened the season against a Tactix side coming off a big loss in Round 1. Surprisingly though, the Tactix got off to a good start, seemingly more match ready and piling on 18 goals to 13 in the opening term. Ellie Bird piled on 15 goals from 16 attempts, whilst Te Paea Selby-Rickit nailed three goals at 100 per cent, and six assists from her six feeds. For the Stars, Gina Crampton (eight goal assists from 13 feeds), whilst Elle Temu (two intercepts) was busy in the first term.

A switch of Temu and veteran Anna Harrison in the defensive goal circle seemed to work a treat for the Stars, as they managed to claw their way back into the game. Trailing by as much as seven goals at one stage, a flurry of four of the last five goals from Maia Wilson resulted in the Stars drawing level, 32 goals apiece at the main break. Wilson had put up 10 goals from 11 attempts, with partner-in-crime Hume scoring nine of 10, and Crampton hit double-figure goal assists. Bird and Selby-Rickitt were both restricted to seven goals from eight attempts each.

Despite the Tactics taking an early two-gaol lead and maintaining that throughout the most part of the third term, the Stars came to play late, with a whopping seven of the last nine goals of the term to go from two goals down to three goals up, 46-43. The Tactix had largely kept the same formation, with only Kate Lloyd coming on in goal keeper for the second half, whilst Vika Koloto replaced Samon Nathan at wing attack midway through the last term.

The Stars did their best work early, with Wilson still on fire, and piling on six of the first eight goals to open up a seven-goal buffer. Though the Tactix were able to claw back the deficit to five, it would not be enough, eventually going down 52-57. Wilson was unstoppable with nine goals from 11 attempts, as Hume and Crampton both had four goals assists, whilst Kimiora Poi worked hard in centre, winning her one-on-one battle with five goal assists from 11 feeds, and even an intercept.

Overall Hume earned the MVP honours thanks to her 23 goals from 30 attempts, feeding through to Wilson 12 times for eight goal assists, and recorded an intercept. Crampton (29 goal assists from 43 feeds) and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan (17 from 35) both did well in setting up the shooters, whilst Temu, Harrison and Holly Fowler combined for seven intercepts.

Bird shot 34 of 37 for the Tactix, with Selby-Rickit managing the 18 of 22, and 17 goal assists from 21 feeds. Poi had a team-high 18 gaol assists from 36 feeds, as well as an intercept, whilst Nathan had the 12 from 31 in the first half. Karin Burger tried hard in the goal circle with four rebounds, but Hume did a superb job on the Silver Fern.

Northern Stars next play on Sunday when they take on the Southern Steel, whilst Mainland Tactix have a longer break before clashing with the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic next Monday, March 28.