Steel down Tactix in pre-season clashes

The Southern Steel proved unbeatable in their first pre-season netball hit-out in Christchurch at the weekend, giving coach Robyn Broughton the perfect chance to test some new combinations.

The Steel downed fellow ANZ Championship side Canterbury Tactix by 20 point-plus margins, and also comfortably accounted for a visiting a New South Wales state team, Eastwood Ryde.

For Broughton, the weekend provided an opportunity to test the mettle of all her players, including former Silver Fern Leana de Bruin who returned to the court for the first time since giving birth to her son Caleb in October.

"It was great having Leana back ... she just so experienced," Broughton said.

An array of combinations took the court for the Steel with some players sporting unfamiliar bibs, including Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit at goal defence who "really showed she has a lot of promise there', Broughton said.

"Everyone got good court time and we tried numerous combinations. I'm sure some of our younger players will be feeling quite exhausted tonight."

Broughton said the Steel's more experienced players stepped up, with Liana Barrett-Chase and Wendy Frew (nee Telfer) anchoring the midcourt well, and Megan Dehn and Erika Burgess also impressing.

The Steel will now switch their focus to hosting a pre-season tournament in Queenstown from February 19-21 featuring fellow ANZ Championship franchises Queensland Firebirds, Northern Mystics, Central Pulse and the Tactix, along with a team from the Australian Institute of Sport.

- NZPA