Netball: Mystics fall to Swifts

Maria Tutaia. Photo / Jason Dorday

Swifts 66 Mystics 50
The Mystics have been handed a 66-50 defeat by the NSW Swifts who celebrated Caitlin Thwaites milestone 100th match with their first home win of the season.

The match proved a real arm wrestle through the first half but the Swifts effectively dismantled the Mystics challenge with their greater accuracy and powerful defence in a dominant second half.

Sitting fourth in the Australian conference, it was a much-needed win for the home team after the pre-season favourites had failed to live up to expectations following losses in their last two matches.

The Swifts built through every quarter as they ground any resistance out of the visitors, the Mystics consistency falling away the longer the match wore on. Visiting goal attack Maria Tutaia started in impressive fashion with her ability to nail shots from all corners of the circle but lacked a reliable ally under the hoop.

At the other end, Thwaites and Susan Pettitt proved a model of consistency while defender Sharni Layton's tenacity and athletic ability were key components in leaving the Mystics well out of the contest in the run home.

After missing out on the starting line-up last week, goal shoot Thwaites got the nod to join the centurions club while Kim Green (wing attack), Paige Hadley (centre) and Abbey McCulloch (wing defence) made up the Swifts midcourt.

Mystics suffered a blow pre-game when shooter Cathrine Latu sustained a back injury in the warm-up, being replaced by Paula Griffin while Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick started at goalkeeper.

Played at a fast and furious pace from the outset both teams impressed with their transfer through court during the opening exchanges. Thwaites and Pettitt were clinically efficient under the Swifts hoot while Tutaia's silky long range shots were on song at the other end.

The home team broke the deadlock with a forceful late surge to pull clear 16-11 at the first break.

The Mystics made a sparkling start on the resumption, scoring the first five goals to level the scores in what turned into a thrilling stanza where momentum ebbed and flowed. Visiting wing defence Serena Guthrie was in the thick of action, her athletic ability winning vital turnover opportunities.

Layton gained the edge over Griffin, who struggled with her accuracy as the home team sprung into a four-goal buffer after re-gathering the lead. Undeterred, Mystics replied in kind with a determined comeback to wrest the lead back in their favour.

With both teams turning on the skills in a classic encounter, the home side had the last say with another late rally to restore their five-goal buffer when taking a 32-27 lead into the main break.

England import Jade Clarke took over the centre's bib for the Swifts while Latu made her entrance in the third stanza with exciting young defender Temalisi Fakahokotau replacing Tone-Fitzpatrick in the visitors' seven.

Again the Mystics started strongly when scoring the first three goals but the all-important third term belonged to the home team. The Swifts intensity on defence eventually paid dividends as the Mystics error rate climbed.

Despite a shaky few moments, Thwaites came right under the Swifts hoop with a dominant outing while the Mystics suffered from a decline in their conversion rate. As they had done earlier, Swifts made an emphatic late statement to build a handy 48-38 lead at the last break.

NSW Swifts shooting statistics:
Caitlin Thwaites 30/33 (90%)
Susan Pettitt 31/35 (89%)
Erin Hoare 5/5 (100%)

Mystics shooting statistics:
Cathrine Latu 14/15 (93%)
Maria Tutaia 26/33 (79%)
Paula Griffin 10/16 (63%)