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Thunderbirds' Sharni Layton in action. - Source: Photosport
The Adelaide Thunderbirds will play in the ANZ Championship finals after thrashing bottom-of-the-table Canterbury Tactix 65-44 today.
Thunderbirds needed the win before a home crowd to secure a berth in the finals - but who they play will remain uncertain until tomorrow night.
Thunderbirds coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson was relieved with the all-important victory, driven by the combined efforts of star shooter Carla Borrego (34 from 37) and Erin Bell.
Tactix defenders did their best to thwart the shooters but lack of inches was a problem against the lofty 193cm Borrego.
Woodlands-Thompson said she knew the game was never going to be an easy one.
"And I thought that defensively they really put the pressure on us in that first five minutes ... but as the game went on I think our defensive pressure wore them down," she said.
Tactix coach Leigh Gibbs said her team was caught napping a bit, but could find some positives.
"I was really pleased with the defence and that given the huge height disadvantage we got ball," she said.
Tactix goal shooter Jo Harten did a great job for her team, scoring 33 from 41 shots, as Gibbs kept reshuffling to try to find a way around the Thunderbirds.
But their goal circle's efforts were hampered by Thunderbirds vice-captain and goal keeper Sharni Layton.
Woodlands-Thompson also changed her line up, moving captain Natalie von Bertouch from centre to wing defence and giving young players Mel Rowland, Cody Lange and Leigh Wallender a run as she balanced the need to keep up
percentage against giving players a rest.
The win puts the Thunderbirds in second place pending the outcome of matches between other finals contenders Northern Mystics and NSW Swifts on Sunday, and Waikato BOP Magic and the Queensland Firebirds on Monday.