Steel beat Tactix in trans-Tasman netball

Mar 7, 2015 - 5:05 AM Star shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid hit a half-century as the Southern Steel grabbed their first win of the trans-Tasman netball league season by downing neighbours the Tactix 68-54.

Fowler-Reid shot at 93 per cent as she landed 56 of her 60 attempts.

Both teams went into the contest at Stadium Southland on Saturday with first-round losses.

The Steel dominated from the start and were never headed, with Fowler-Reid forming a solid combination with young goal attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit in the opening half.

Better known as a goal shoot, Selby-Rickit has changed bibs after the departure of 2014 skipper and Silver Fern Jodi Brown.

She and wing attack Gina Crampton regularly found Fowler-Reid and the Jamaican ace profited from the service.

Without the ball, the home side produced some tight defensive pressure.

The youthful duo of Phoenix Karaka and Storm Purvis were impressive at the back, while skipper Wendy Frew and Shannon Francois put the squeeze on the opposition feeders.

Turnovers proved costly for the Tactix, who were 16-11 behind at the end of the opening quarter.

Coach Sue Hawkins shuffled her line-up at the first break, including bringing on Silver Fern Bailey Mes to join Malawi international Mwai Kumwenda in the shooting circle.

Kumwenda went on to score 34 goals from 38 attempts, while Mes landed 17 from 24.

Steel coach Janine Southby, with her side up 32-35 at half-time, decided to mix things up by giving some of her bench players court time, resting Selby-Rickit in the process.

The Tactix produced a six-goal run to close to within four in the third quarter, but couldn't maintain their challenge and the Steel got home with some comfort.

Source: AAP