Netball: Final quarter burst gives Mystics win

Captain Maria Tutaia of the Skycity Mystics. Photo / Jason Dorday

Mystics 57
Steel 52

The Northern Mystics took three quarters to get going then showed their class, sweeping past the Southern Steel at Trusts Stadium last night.

Laura Langman and Maria Tutaia took over down the stretch as the Mystics emphasised their status as New Zealand conference top dogs.

The Steel had led 45-41 in the final quarter but seemed to succumb to nerves just when cool heads were required.

Langman fired in some exquisite passes and both Tutaia and Cathrine Latu shot perfectly in the final quarter as the Mystics poured in the goals in the last five minutes.

The Steel had made a cracking start to the game, dominating the first quarter with a series of broad movements through court.

Gina Crampton and Te Paea Selby-Rickit formed an impressive combination, the former firing lightning passes into her roving goal attack.

A 13-7 Steel lead was followed by a brisk Mystics comeback, and it was 16-15 to the southerners at the first break. The Steel again made a move in the second quarter, leaping to leads of 24-19 and 27-21, and took a handy 31-26 lead into halftime.

Steel coach Janine Southby made one change at the break, replacing goal defence Jane Watson with Phoenix Karaka, while Mystics coach Debbie Fuller made a triple change, bringing on Katherine Coffin, Temalisi Fakahokotau and Nadia Loveday.

The Steel still had the edge after three quarters, 41-39, but there was a clear sense the home side was poised for a move.

Southby rejigged her midcourt, bringing Stacey Peeters on at wing defence, and the Steel made a good start to the final quarter before it turned drastically to the Mystics.

In yesterday's other game, the West Coast Fever cemented their place at the top of the Australian conference beating the Adelaide Thunderbirds 55-50. Tonight's games feature the Pulse hosting the Magic, and the Firebirds hosting the Swifts.