Mystics’ Nweke too hot for Magic At a glance

The Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic couldn’t find an answer to Grace Nweke as the Northern Mystics shooter denied them a second win of the season last night.

Nweke netted 57 goals in her side’s 68-63 victory over the hosts in their ANZ Premiership netball game at Hamilton’s Claudelands Arena.

The hosts weren’t helped by losing goal keep Temalisi Fakahokotau to an ankle injury in the last minute of the first half, as the visitors got home after scores were tied with just over three minutes to play.

Nweke missed just four shots as she dictated matters at the shooting end for the Mystics, and was hugely aided by some wonderful feeds from wing attack Peta Toeava.

Chiara Semple got the nod in the starting seven at goal attack for the Magic ahead of Khiarna Williams to team up with Caitlin Bassett in the shooting circle, and immediately stood out with her clever passing and accurate shooting helping the the hosts to an early 8-4 lead.

But Toeava’s immaculate passing to

Nweke was also prominent as both goal shoots returned perfect figures in the opening quarter that the Magic edged 18-16.

The Magic had already made a defensive change in the second quarter, with Georgia Tong coming on for Erena Mikaere at goal defence, when Fakahokotau went down, while Semple’s buzzer-beater kept the Magic’s advantage at two at the major break.

Despite shooting 16/18, Semple was replaced by Williams at the start of the third quarter while the Mystics also made a switch in the same position, with Filda Vui replacing Bailey Mes.

Scores were level at 52-52 entering the last 15 minutes, and when Williams went off injured and Semple returned, the result was still up for grabs.

But the Mystics brought on former England star Ama Agbeze at goal defence for Kate Burley and her first impact saw Semple penalised for held ball, and the visitors closed out matters from there.