Mystics edge unbeaten Pulse in upset win

The Central Pulse’s seemingly unstoppable side were stunned by the Northern Mystics 52-51 in the final match of last night’s ANZ Premiership triple header at Christchurch’s Horncastle Arena.

The Super Sunday match-up showcased three tightly-contested games between all six national franchises but the Mystics undoubtedly stole the show.

After a 22-goal thrashing from the Pulse last week, the Northern side made an unexpected whirlwind comeback to end the Pulse’s recordbreaking win streak.

And despite an unconvincing start to the season, Silver Ferns shooter Bailey Mes was at the centre of the Mystics victory after sinking a lastsecond rebounded goal to secure the win.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Northern Stars were denied a much-needed victory by the Southern Steel 63-60, while the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic continued to showcase their potential, defeating the Tactix 48-47.

Looking to claim their first win of the season after losing three matches by two goals or less, Stars captain Grace Kara urged her team to hold their ground in the critical moments.

With two valuable match points on the line and a five-goal lead to the Steel in the final quarter, however, the Stars had much to prove.

And although disrupting the Steel’s new-found flow to get as close as two goals to their Southern rivals, the Stars failed to secure the win.

The Tactix struggled with a low shooting percentage in the second clash, while Magic shooter Lenize Potgieter was back in fine form.

Silver Ferns defender Temalisi Fakahokotau made the most of every rebound and intercept opportunity in combination with Tactix captain Jane Watson.

But the Tactix shooters again failed to capitalise and even a few last-minute positional changes from coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek wasn’t enough to see the Mainlanders claim a win.

The Pulse were slow to find their usual rhythm in the opening quarter of the final match, with sloppy and hesitant play seeing the Mystics gain an early advantage.

Mystics defender Phoenix Karaka seamlessly slotted into captain Anna Harrison’s usual goal keep position to apply early pressure on the young Pulse shooters. Capitalising on an uncharacteristically nervous start from the usually accurate Aliyah Dunn, Karaka snatched her side valuable turnovers which the Mystics midcourt confidently fed into their circle.

With the scoreboard locked at 12-12, Mystics coach Helene Wilson called on Maria Folau.

Looking to add some international experience to her shooting line-up, Pulse coach Yvette McCauslandDurie called Ameliaranne Ekenasio on to the court in the third quarter in place of Tiana Metuarau.

But Ekenasio’s presence wasn’t enough to settle the already shaken Central side, as the Mystics eased to a four-goal lead.

For the first time this season, the Pulse found themselves in uncharted territory, desperate to save their unbeaten record. But the Mystics were on a mission of their own in the final quarter that saw them finish the match with composure and style to claim an unexpected victory, their third in seven games.