NETBALL - Loss to Magic gets Mystics fired up to reach top-four goal

Mystics coach Te Aroha Keenan said she believed one game of netball did not make the season - which is a good thing after the Northern outfit got smacked by 2008 ANZ Championship runner-ups Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in their season-opening game last week.
Laden with Silver Ferns in attack and the experience of a player as talented as Frances Solia at centre, Magic dominated from the start and raced out to a 33-20 halftime lead, going on to win 51-38.
Keenan admitted the Magic were too good on the night and said the Mystics had not achieved the goals they set before the game.
However, tomorrow's game against the Central Pulse at North Shore Events Centre presented another chance for the Mystics to get back on track and set the standard of netball they wanted to play this year.
Dargaville product Stephanie Bond, who played a solid game at defence combining well with Vilimaina Davu in the Magic's circle, said the Mystics would not be taking the Pulse - the 2008 wooden-spoon holders - lightly.
"They [Central Pulse] are a hard team to play and can easily upset you ... you have to give them respect," Bond said.
Although they lost 12 from 13 games in 2008, Bond said the Pulse were a side who played efficient and accurate netball.
"They are a team who don't do anything wrong, which can easily disrupt your play."
English recruit Pam Cookey arrived this week after winning the English league with her side Team Bath, and will line up as the Mystics 12th player tomorrow.
Cookey will add another dimension to the shooting circle, which Cathrine Latu, Jade Topia and Grace Rasmussen managed on Monday, Bond said.
"Pam plays quite differently and she will add a bit of a variety down there - so that should be good."
Defensively, Bond thought the Mystics started off well on against the Magic, and will be looking for more of the same from her side.
If Bond is positioned at GD again, she will most likely meet former Mystics and Auckland Diamonds teammate shooter Paula Griffin, who transferred to the Pulse franchise this season.
"Paula and I have played the last few years together ... and it will be strange going up against her but you don't really think about that when you are playing."
Monday's loss was disappointing for the Northern outfit, but it has worked in their favour, firing up the girls to reach their goal of making the top four this year.
Too many errors infiltrated play last week, letting the Mystics down, but if the team can cut those out tomorrow, then they should have a good shot at victory, Bond said.
Tomorrow's game is shaping up to be a cracker with the Pulse also hungry for a win following their nine-goal loss to the Southern Steel last weekend.
Northern Mystics play the Central Pulse at 6.30pm tomorrow at North Shore Events Centre.