Goal shooter Karyn Bailey's return has sparked the Melbourne Vixens to a comprehensive 69-48 trans-Tasman netball league win over Mainland Tactix in Christchurch on Monday.
Bailey, back after three weeks off with a foot injury, played all but a touch over three minutes and was instrumental in setting up the Vixens' third win of the season.
She sunk 50 of her 59 attempts for 85 percent accuracy, and provided a mobile and dominant presence in the shooting circle for her midcourt.
Her combination with youthful goal attack Alice Teague-Neeld (17 from 23) was slick, forcing Tactix coach Sue Hawkins to shuffle defenders Jess Moulds, Louise Thayer and Zoe Walker in a bid to shut down them down.
Vixens skipper Madi Robinson, playing her 100th trans-Tasman netball league match, controlled play superbly alongside centre Liz Watson and their up-tempo combination left the Tactix defence half a pace behind.
The home team actually managed to generate a decent amount of turnover ball, but couldn't convert that possession into goals.
Coming off back-to-back wins, the Tactix lacked intensity and struggled to find shooters Mwai Kumwenda and Bailey Mes with any consistency.
Much of the credit for that went to goal keeper Geva Mentor, with the English international's elevation and anticipation shutting down the flair and unpredictability central to the Tactix shooting circle.
Kumwenda sunk 31 of her 40 attempts on goal, while Silver Fern Mes's improving accuracy took a hit as she managed 17 from 29 for just 59 percent accuracy.
The Tactix still sit second on the New Zealand conference, with two wins and a draw to go with their three losses, six points astray of the unbeaten Southern Steel on 11 points.
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