Mystics take out Tactix with clinical shooting
Spearheaded by teenaged shooting sensation Grace Nweke, the Northern Mystics clinched a pulsating win over the Mainland Tactix at the Auckland Netball Centre last night.
With both teams having 53 attempts at goal, the sure shooting of the unflappable Nweke, with 38 from 40, got the Mystics over the line.
It was a classic top-line outing between the second-placed Mystics and third-placed Tactix.
Scoring six goals in a row midway through the last quarter, the Mystics looked in control with a seven-goal lead. The Tactix produced a stirring fightback to keep the tension high but ultimately had to settle for a losing bonus point after finishing within five.
Mystics coach Helene Wilson started teenager Asher Grapes at goal attack as both teams went with familiar starting sevens while presenting tantalising match-ups across court.
Scoring three in a row, with Te Paea Selby-Rickit taking on plenty of work after Ellie Bird was double-marked, the Tactix goal attack dropped a clutch of shots from range to give the southerners an early buffer.
Livewire Mystics midcourt duo Peta Toeava and Tayla Earle successfully employed their formula of quickly-released ball to Nweke as the northerners levelled at 8-8.
The Tactix clawed back the initiative on the back of strong shooting and the defensive exploits of Jane Watson and Temalisi Fakahokotau, as they edged to a 14-11 first-quarter lead.
That prompted changes for the Mystics, with Saviour Tui replacing Grapes and Courtney Elliott coming off the bench and into wing defence for Australian import Emily Burgess.
The Mystics again quickly levelled up, with Earle and Toeava providing quick-fire service to Nweke. But with the tallest player on the court, 1.96m Bird, showing good movement and positioning under the hoop, the Tactix pushed back into the lead.
Hard-working wing attack Erikana Pedersen was a strong contributor in directing Bird into the right places but lapses at the other end allowed the Mystics to nail the last three scoring opportunities. With Nweke returning a blemish-free 21/21, the Mystics headed into the main break with the score 24-24.
The riveting contest continued in the third quarter, during which the exploits of Phoenix Karaka and Sulu Fitzpatrick on defence helped the Mystics nudge in front.
The Tactix showed they were not done, with Fakahokotau, giving away 11cm to Nweke, providing some magic to help the southerners level with one minute of the stanza remaining. However, two quick goals had the Mystics back in front when leading 35-33 at the last turn.