Netball: Steel control southern derby

A blistering start ensured the Southern Steel were never headed in a 52-48 transtasman netball defeat of the Canterbury Tactix in Dunedin last night that was comfortable but never pretty.

A tense southern derby had been predicted by most, with both teams having a defeat and a victory to their names, but the scene was set when the hosts raced to a 13-6 lead inside 10 minutes. It was relatively even for the remainder although the Steel went on a 7-1 scoring burst early in the final quarter to ensure the Cantabrians did not pull off a late miracle.

They then eased off alarmingly, watching a 12-point lead evaporate to four. However, the result was never in doubt and the final scoreline flattered the visitors.

Coming off a 47-54 loss to the Magic last weekend, the Steel were relentless at both ends of the court until their late fade. Katrina Grant laid the foundation with a solid showing at goal keep in place of the injured Megan Hutton while there was further improvement in the shooting combination between Daneka Wipiiti and Donna Wilkins.

Lanky goal shoot Wipiiti rode her confidence with a 39-from-43 shooting return while veteran Wilkins was happy to adopt a support role with 13 from 17 shots.

"Our shooters did exceptionally well," said Steel captain Adine Wilson, impressed by how easily she found the pair all night. We talked a lot this week about creating space in that circle. Daneka held just wonderfully and Donna really drew."

However, Wilson was unimpressed by the late slump, which included some confusing player substitutions which were delayed by a mix-up over the bibs.

"There was definitely some unusual things happening out there tonight, is there a full moon or something?" Wilson asked.

"That was an ugly win but it counts and that's all that matters."

It was a disappointing performance from the Tactix, with their standards failing to match last week's 52-44 home defeat of the West Coast Fever.

Goal shoot Jodi Brown was her consistent self with 32 from 36 shots
but she lacked accurate support from both Angela Mitchell and Anna Thompson.

Earlier yesterday, the Vixens ensured they remain the only unbeaten Australian team with a 49-43 defeat of the Thunderbirds in Adelaide.

Today's games see a repeat of last year's final between the Magic and New South Wales Swifts in Hamilton while the Fever host the Northern Mystics in Perth.

- NZPA