Netball: Mystics laid low by Fever

Mystics goal keep Vilimaina Davu struggled to contain Fever goal shoot Caitlin Bassett during last night's game in Perth. Photo / Getty Images

West Coast Fever acted like impolite hosts in soundly beating Northern Mystics 57-46 last night for their first win of the transtasman netball league season.

West Coast welcomed a return to Challenge Stadium in Perth after two defeats on the road to maintain the undefeated run of Australian teams at home to New Zealand opposition three rounds into the second edition of the ANZ Championship.

The Auckland-based Mystics were too loose and fancy free, giving up five intercepts in the opening quarter alone as West Coast edged ahead 15-13.

The home side then accounted for the next five goals immediately after the break to grab a decisive 20-13 break which they built on to forge clear 29-20 by halftime.

The writing was on the wall for the Mystics, who found themselves outplayed in all sectors of the court.

Goal shoot Catherine Latu and her attacking sidekick Pamela Cookey were frozen out, the centre court led by captain Temepara George was outhustled and goal keep Vilimaina Davu found herself with her hands full keeping tabs on impressive Fever goal shoot Caitlin Bassett.

Coach Te Aroha Keenan responded at the interval, benching Latu for Jade Topia and employing Stephanie Bond to replace goal defence Rachel Rasmussen.

Topia presented a more mobile target for her feeders, which in turn created space for English import Cookey to play her part as the Mystics trimmed the difference to six goals within a short period of time.

But Fever were in a confident mood and responded by picking up their intensity to win the third quarter 18-12 and earn an insurmountable 15-goal lead heading into the closing stanza.

- NZPA