Game Detail // ANZ Championship 2008

Round Name: Round 6 Starting Date: 10/5/2008

Team			v	Team		Location	Date/Time
	» Steel	48	v.	» Tactix	51	Stadium Southland, Invercargill	10/05/2008 2:30 PM

	SKY Sport Time:	14:30

Game Report:

SKOPE Canterbury Tactix got their campaign back on track with a pulsating 51-48 defeat of Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in Invercargill today. Coming off the bye, Tactix recovered from a slow start to inflict a second successive loss at home on Steel.

Following her team`s nine-goal defeat by Steel in Round 3, Tactix coach Helen Mahon-Stroud introduced a reshuffled line-up this time, but in the end it was the experience of old heads Julie Seymour and Jodi Brown that proved decisive.

Overshadowed by tenacious Steel defender Megan Hutton early on, Brown proved an inspiring figure during the second half as the momentum swung back to the Canterbury side. Taking most of her team`s shots at goal, Brown�s positioning and accuracy were pivotal to the outcome.

After grinding out the first three quarters, Tactix showed better poise and finishing down the home straight, while Steel failed to capitalise on their opportunities for the second straight week.

The southern derby got off to a rollicking start with both teams` last-round losses adding a sense of urgency. The home team proved more consistent and efficient throughout the first quarter as Tactix faltered on occasion under the hoop. Steel�s better conversion rate propelled them to a 14-11 first quarter advantage after both teams had 16 attempts apiece.

Tactix made a strong start to the second quarter as Brown was moved out to goal attack, but the visitors continued to be let down by turnovers at crucial times. On the back of some strong defence by Demelza Fellowes and Victoria Smith, Tactix enjoyed a fruitful patch which enabled them to tie the game up with five minutes of the second quarter to go.

Not to be outdone, Hutton replied at the other end, her long reach and aggressive play allowing Steel to take a slim 26-24 half-time lead. After playing catch-up for most of the first half, Tactix, with Seymour reverting to centre from wing defence, roared back into contention.

The combination of Seymour and Maree Bowden in the midcourt improved the Tactix flow as Brown and Anna Thompson shot them into the lead. Big through-court defence from both teams created turnovers aplenty as the ball swung back and forth with neither team able to stamp their authority. It was goal-for-goal heading to the final break, before Daneka Wipiiti sank a vital goal while falling out of court to give the Steel a 36-35 lead at three-quarter time.