Queensland Firebirds defeat Canterbury Tactix 76-51 in Christchurch Jamaican international Romelda Aiken was again pivotal for the Queensland Firebirds. A BELOW-STRENGTH Queensland Firebirds had little difficulty in recording their sixth win of the trans-Tasman netball season with a commanding 76-51 victory over Canterbury Tactix in Christchurch today. The win leapfrogged the 2011 champions back to the top of the table momentarily, with the competition-leading Adelaide Thunderbirds and Melbourne Vixens still to play. The Firebirds were missing captain and key defender Laura Geitz, but never looked threatened by the young Tactix line-up. The height, strength and positioning of lanky shooter Romelda Aiken was again pivotal with the Jamaican international shooting 90 per cent in sinking 46 of her 51 shots on goal. Goal attack Natalie Medhurst's vision and calmness in settling a young attack proved invaluable. She missed just one shot of her 21 attempts in the first three quarters, then took over at wing attack for the final spell as coach Roselee Jencke emptied her bench. Kimberley Ravaillion impressed at centre, driving well to the circle edge and showing tenacious defence in pressuring the Tactix midcourt. The Tactix contested well in the opening stages, forcing plenty of turnovers. But their inability to convert that to points on the board left them trailing 21-12 after 15 minutes and 38-20 at halftime. English international Jo Harten worked tirelessly in and out of the circle for the Tactix, shooting at 92 per cent in missing just three of her 36 shots while Julianna Naoupu continued her return from injury with 13 from 16. The Tactix lifted for a strong third quarter to keep pace with the Firebirds, who took a 56-37 lead into the final spell and extended that despite a swathe of changes for the final 15 minutes. QUEENSLAND FIREBIRDS 76 (Romelda Aiken 46 Natalie Medhurst 20 Ameliaranne Wells 10) bt CANTERBURY TACTIX 51 (Joanne Harten 33 Julianna Naoupu 13 Sophia Fenwick 5) at CBS Arena