Central Pulse 48
The Northern Mystics have been reintroduced to the top four of netball's trans-Tasman league on the back of a perfect shooting game from Cathrine Latu.
The Mystics predictably breezed past the Central Pulse, winning 61-48 at the Trusts Stadium in Auckland to secure their fifth victory from eight matches and surge back into the top four.
They now share third on 10 points with the New South Wales Swifts, two behind the second-placed Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic and six behind the leading Queensland Firebirds.
The Mystics had the luxury of resting Silver Ferns Maria Tutaia and Joline Henry on the bench in the first half and it was not a move they would regret as they streaked out to a seven-goal first quarter lead which they extended to 10 goals at halftime, when goal attack Tutaia and wing defence Henry were introduced.
Goal shoot Latu looked to be potting goals for fun for the home team, landing 24 in the first half and another 18 in the second to record her fifth flawless display from eight matches. She ended with 42 from 42.
Shooting was a key factor, perhaps the deciding one. The Pulse actually put up more shots than the Mystics - 67 to 64 - but inaccuracy cost them.
Notorious slow starters, the Pulse were left to again rue their opening quarter, the Mystics punishing their turnovers to jump out to a 5-1 lead inside three minutes and set the tone.
Pulse coach Yvette McCausland-Durie emphasised personal accountability pre-match and her halftime declaration that her team was "driving her nuts" suggested she was seeing little of it as they were frustrated by the Mystics defence, led by Anna Scarlett and youngster Jess Moulds.
The visitors improved in the third stanza, winning it 15-11 and closing the gap to six goals with 15min to play, but the Mystics closed the game out well, their greater speed through midcourt a feature of the match.
McCausland-Durie could not be accused of not trying to change things up - she dragged goal attack Amber Bellringer midway through the first quarter and made regular changes throughout the match - but a seventh loss from eight games tells the story of a team continuing to struggle with confidence.
The Wellington-based team are joint last with the Canterbury Tactix.
Northern Mystics 61 (Cathrine Latu 42/42, Maria Tutaia 12/14, Megan Dehn 7/8) Central Pulse 48 (Caitlin Thwaites 34/42, Amber Bellringer 9/18, Te Amo Amaru-Tibble 4/6, Alanah Cassidy 1/1). Halftime: 32-22.
- NZPA
