Southern Steel show their mettle to Tactix

DAVID HALLETT/The Press

PICKED OFF: Southern Steel goal defence Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit pulls of an intercept against the Canterbury Tactix during yesterday's pre-season game in Christchurch.

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The Southern Steel got their preseason preparations off to the best possible start at the weekend, winning all four of their matches in Christchurch.

They won both matches against Canterbury Tactix convincingly and were also too classy for the Eastwood Ryde-New South Wales state team, which they beat twice.

On Saturday, Steel triumphed over Tactix 56-40 in a match they lad after every quarter. Steel took the game away from the Cantabrians in the second quarter, which they won 18-8 to jump to a healthy 11-goal halftime cushion. They were also a cut above the Eastwood Ryde team, winning 54-31.

Yesterday, Steel also showed some promising early-season signs, again beating Tactix 58-38. Steel led by only two goals at the halftime interval, but stepped up their play in the second half to break away from Tactix. In a shortened 40-minute game against Eastwood Ryde they also won 30-27.

New Steel recruit Leana de Bruin took to the court for the first time since the birth of her son Caleb in October and coach Robyn Broughton said she had shown some pleasing signs.

"It was great having Leana back ... she is just so experienced."

Steel were able to give court time to all 11 players, who were available for the trip to Christchurch, and Broughton said it was an ideal chance to try out combinations.

"Everyone got good court time and we tried numerous combinations .. . We're moving ahead quite well. Everyone did their bit. Our more-experienced players really stepped up." Steel players not to feature were Sheryl Scanlan, who is recovering from a calf injury, and Daneka Wipiiti, who only recently gave birth to her first child. .

Young defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit saw extensive time in the goal defence bib and had really impressed during the weekend, Broughton said.

Steel's next preseason hitout will be in Queenstown from February 19 to 21 against Northern Mystics, Central Pulse, Tactix and Queensland Firebirds.

- © Fairfax NZ News