Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel drew with Mainland Tactix

Media Release
Sunday 10 April, 2016

Official Result & Statistics
Official Result: Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel (58) drew with Mainland Tactix (58)
• MVP for Tactix midcourt dynamo Nicola Mackle
• Tactix shooting duo showcase their athleticism
• 50 goal haul for Steel's Jhaniele Fowler-Reid
The Mainland Tactix showed their growing resilience when battling back to claim a thrilling 58-all draw with Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in Invercargill on Sunday.

Showing their customary ability to absorb pressure and come home strongly, the Steel looked to have made the game-changing breakthrough when taking a four-goal lead into the final quarter. But Tactix showed their fighting spirit to quickly level up, leaving a thrilling goal-for-goal run to the line for the remaining nine minutes.

While history favoured the Steel, it was the visitors who made the early running, ensuring a high energy tight match-up from the outset.

Employing a fast-paced strategy, the Tactix held the slightest of edges through the first half, dazzling at times with their speed of ball through court, courtesy of lively midcourters Nicola Mackle and captain Anna Thompson, while shooters Bailey Mes and Mwai Kumwenda showcased all their athletic traits.

With towering shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid anchoring the Steel circle and the movement and aerial ability of Mes and Kumwenda, the high bomb featured prominently in an entertaining contest.

Looking to reduce the high ball into Fowler-Reid, all-out team defence paid off for the Tactix who hustled their rivals into turnovers during the opening term, the visitors taking a narrow 13-11 into the first break.

Showing great court coverage, Mes impressed in her general play with strong drives, ability to share the shooting load and rebounding prowess as the Tactix made the Steel pay for a high turnover count.

The visitors had several chances to extend their lead but untimely lapses helped the Steel draw level, the Tactix unfazed, holding their nerve to keep the home team at bay and maintain their slim buffer when leading 30-28 at the main break.

Winning the turnover battle and subsequently getting more ball into the hands of Fowler-Reid helped the Steel make a decisive move during the all-important third stanza. The Jamaican import left her mark with a succession of goals while defenders Jane Watson, Te Huinga Reo-Selby-Rickit and durable captain Wendy Frew secured a number of important steals.

Lifting their conversion rate and denying the Tactix opportunities helped the home team surge into a 45-41 lead at three-quarter time.

Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel Shooting Stats:
Jhaniele Fowler-Reid: 50/56 (89%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit: 8/11 (73%)
Brooke Leaver: 0/1 (0%)

Mainland Tactix Shooting Stats:
Mwai Kumwenda: 35/38 (92%)
Bailey Mes: 22/30 (73%)
Gemma Hazeldine: 1/2 (50%)

MVP: Nicola Mackle (Tactix)

END

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