Despite a Round 8 loss to the Pulse on Sunday, the Tactix fought hard to level the score in the away-from-home match that ended in only their second loss of the season.
The Tactix took a nine point win over the Pulse when they met in Round 6 in Christchurch, with Sunday’s 59-50 loss breaking their six game winning streak.
Ahead of taking on the Pulse, Tactix head coach Donna Wilkins said the team still had a long way to go and the team expected the Pulse to come out fighting.
“Being on the road is a challenge, the Pulse is coming off three losses so they will be hurting and not wanting to lose, any team has proven they can win,” Wilkins said.
The Wellington game had Wilkin’s start with her familiar side in mid-court and defence, while Martina Salmon and Te Paea Selby-Rickit settled into their respective shooting roles.
The later quarters prompted strategic changes, with Paris Lokotui and Ellie Bird retired at the half, Parris Petera entering the game at wing attack, and Charli Fidler moving into goal keep for the final quarter.
The Pulse set a fast-pace of play, with the Tactix fighting for possession with some missed rebounds and unforced errors placing the home-side into an early lead that extended to 10 points at the half way mark,
During a midmatch Skysport interview Wilkins had prompted her side to look after possession, and celebrate the on court wins.
“We need to play together, and celebrate the wins - we got stressed in the first quarter but need to have fun on court,” Wilkins said.
Returning to the court, the Tactix turned up the intensity, pushing the Pulse goal-for-goal in the third quarter, losing the quarter by only two points and proving the red and blacks were still in the game.
Shooting accuracy was under pressure throughout, with Bird, Salmon and Selby-Rickit striving to achieve their usual shooting percentage, with all three fighting for each goal and Salmon and Selby-Rickit sinking six two-point super shots in the third and fourth quarters, winning the final sector by three points.
Defender Jane Watson held a tight defensive position throughout, keeping pressure on the Pulse shooters achieving one intercept and five gains, while Karin Burger and Paris Lokotui showed their versatility to hunt for the ball at speed.
After the game, captain and Tactix player of the match Erikana Pedersen said her team tried to battle against their opponent, but it was not their night.
“We didn’t have the ability to feed the ball in, and we will have to look at that and how we can get more ball,” Pedersen said.
The Tactix return to Christchurch to prepare to take on the Magic on Monday 7 July at Wolfbrook Arena.
