Overtime thriller in Christchurch

Monday nights battle of the bottom was always going to be a game of desperation and intensity as both the Tactix and the Mystics were gunning for their first win of the season. Not many would have predicted the game would proceed to double overtime.

Many questions have been asked of the Tactix this season and in past seasons, with too often they are able to foot it with their opposition and too many times have fallen off the pace and ended up being on the back of a 20+ goal thumping. However on Monday they showed they had the character and the desire to close out the match and especially in such dramatic fashion. 

The First quarter saw the Tactix come out of the gates firing putting on a 20-13 lead with some superb shooting by English international Jo Harten. The hand was running hot early on with Jo scoring 15/15 and was ably assisted by Sophia Fenwick with 5/8; they set their intentions early. Julie Corletto and Jess Moulds made things look easy for the Tactix shooters, with not enough pressure outside the goal circle was being applied by Cullen and Saunders to slow the pace of the game and give the circle defenders an opportunity to attack.  Down the Mystics attacking end, Silver Fern shooting duo of Maria Tutaia and Cat Latu only managed 15 attempts between them with the possession just not making its way down to the goal circle.

The second quarter saw the Mystics continue to let themselves down with silly errors, Maria Tutaia being guilty of 4 turnovers that continued to put her team on the back foot. With the Tactix blowing the lead out to 10 goals early on they continued on from where they left off in the first quarter. In my own personal experience it is vital that a team has good communication on court, the Mystics however were struggling in this department and it was shown in their through court defence.

Juliana Nauoupu entered the game at the 10 min mark, as she continues to get up to match fitness after her off-season surgeries. The combination with Harten was working well, we have to remember that they haven’t had a lot of game time together so it will be a work in progress. By halftime the Mystics had knocked off a couple of goals but the Tactix were still leading by seven goals, 37-30.

The 3^rd quarter, aka the Championship quarter saw the Mystics kick into gear and pile on 22 goals to the Tactix 12. Latu and Tutaia were showing their class and skills with some wonderful attacking moves. Lets face it, Cat Latu’s ability to hold space combined with a perfectly positioned pass will beat a defender every time. 

Aussie import Julie Corletto had one of her best games since transitioning over to Auckland and was a vital component in the Mystics fight back. Her tough on on one defense and her explosive speed off the mark saw her collect 3 intercepts in the quarter as well as 1 rebound. 

The fourth quarter and extra time was basically a blur, and i had to seemingly stop myself from having a heart attack several times. Any time a game goes to extra time it is inevitable. The Mystics just couldn't make the most of their turnovers and with young GA Sophia Fenwick and Jo Harten showing maturity well beyond their years, the goals were slotted and the win went to Canterbury.

Going forward it could perhaps be a swing for the struggling Tactix. It is commonly known that the importance of knowing how to win in any sport is crucial, it cannot be understated. In the circumstances of Monday night's win, double extra time, only time will tell weather the Tactix will give up the wooden spoon this season.