The Southern Steel have ended a historic season for the Mainland Tactix coming back to win 53 to 49 in the ANZ Premiership's elimination final.
Steel shooter Jennifer O'Connell Photo: www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2018
For the first time two South Island teams battled for a spot in the ANZ Premiership final and it didn't fail to deliver, the Southern Steel though victorious with a little more to play for.
The Steel's greater experience and will to see captain Wendy Frew off in style proved the difference against a Tactix team who had a season to be proud of after the perennial battlers made the Finals Series for the first time.
After a strong start, the southerners were outplayed through the middle stages by the Tactix before storming home in the final spell. The rise of both goal shooters, Jen O'Connell for the Steel and Tactix' Ellie Bird, the competition's two tallest players was a feature with big influence.
But it was big-game composure and experienced heads that won the day.
The Steel got their wish and the inspiring Frew gets to lead the Steel one last time in what will close an endearing and enduring netball chapter.
O'Connell was back for the Steel after missing their last match with an ear complaint while Bird and Brooke Leaver teamed up in the Tactix shooting circle. It was the home side who showed the early initiative, quickly out of the blocks and impressing with their speed through court, spearheaded by Shannon Francois and Gina Crampton to hold a slight edge.
With Bird double-marked, the Tactix had a few problems getting the ball into her hands while at the other end, O'Connell showed her value with a perfect return as the Steel took a 15-12 lead into the first break.
Australian import Kate Beveridge took over at goal attack in the Tactix line-up as the Christchurch-based team made a big move in the second stanza. With the dynamic defensive combination of Jane Watson and Temalisi Fakahokotau warming to the job at hand, the visitors found more turnovers coming their way.
Midcourters Kimiora Poi and Erikana Pedersen, alongside the crafty Beveridge, took every opportunity to feed the towering Bird, who, with impressive accuracy, helped the Tactix negate a six-goal deficit to complete a stunning turnaround before heading into the main break with a slim 29-28 lead.
Both teams delivered an accurate and intense third stanza, Fakahokotau adding to the drama with a speedy timeout to fix a split lip. Initially, it was the visitors, on the back of the growing presence of Bird who looked set to take charge when building a five-goal buffer.
Not to be outdone, the Steel retained the customary doggedness and patience to claw their way back and level up the scores. An unruffled O'Connell was all poise under the Steel hoop with her accuracy keeping her team right in the contest.
An exciting finish was guaranteed after a drawn third quarter left the Tactix with a 41-40 lead at the last break.
