Promising to be a battle of the big shooters, it was Fowler-Reid who really came to the fore, using her height advantage and confidence in the air to score 60 from 61.
The score could have been even bigger, after the hometown Tactix found themselves floundering at a 10-goal disadvantage in the first quarter. But they pulled together in the second to keep in touch, before the Steel surged again and stuck to their game plan in the last half.
The Steel came out all guns blazing, firing a ton of pressure at the Tactix who could find no routes through to their shooters. It was quickly 5-0 in the Steel’s favour, before Mwai Kumwenda got the Cantabrians on the board.
Storm Purvis, a day after her 21st birthday, relished the responsibility of shutting down the agile and accurate Kumwenda, and it turned into its own fierce competition.
It was a different case at the other end of the court. The other shooting super-power in the match, Fowler-Reid found little interruption in her rhythm, comfortably pulling in the high lobs under the hoop and converting them with ease.
By the end of the first quarter she had successfully sunk all 21 of her shots, and the Steel led by a massive 26-16.
Looking for a way to slow down the scoring onslaught, the Tactix tried a new circle defence combination bringing out Louise Thayer at goal defence to join Zoe Walker. It made a difference, with the Steel denied the same simplicity they enjoyed in the crazy first spell.
Keeping their heads, the Tactix attack also employed a new patience, with goal attack Anna Thompson stepping up her contribution, and they closed the gap to eight, 40-32, at halftime.
But on their return, the Steel were more measured and regained control, scoring seven in a row. Wing attack Shannon Francois made plenty of room to move around the midcourt and set up some inspired passes to Fowler-Reid, whose timing in the air was equally impressive.
With the difference 16 goals, young Tactix midcourter Nicola Mackle entered the game at centre just before three-quarter time.
Up 61-43, the Steel also took the chance to bring on new legs for the final quarter, in defender Phoenix Karaka and shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit. The Tactix managed to keep in step with their southern rivals over the last 15 minutes, but the real damage had already been done.
