KEY POINTS:
Northern Mystics' miserable start to netball's transtasman league continued today when they crashed to an upset 45-49 loss to Australia's West Coast Fever in Auckland today.
In the clash of two teams who were winless through the first two rounds of the ANZ Championship, the Perth-based side had too much speed and desire for the flat hosts.
Fever were also more accurate in the shooting circle, shooting 49 from 57 shots compared to Mystics' 45 from 60.
Despite their experience against Australian attacking formations, Mystics defenders Sheryl Scanlan and Leana de Bruin couldn't find the answer to the zip of Fever's English wing attack Karen Atkinson and goal attack Bianca Franklin, named player of the match.
Goal shoot Caitlin Bassett was introduced at halftime and provided an important focal point with her height and accuracy.
It was a contrast at the other end, where Cathrine Latu struggled for space against lanky English defender Susan Fuhrmann and her teammates were guilty of forcing the ball into the circle. Only Silver Ferns centre Temepara George showed the necessary creativity.
"That feels awesome," Fever captain Fuhrmann told Sky Sport.
"All the girls played well, I'm glad we could take what we've learned over the previous two weeks and put it into this game.
"We just had to keep it together and keep the focus on us, not the opposition."
Statistics showed Fever were easily the more committed side, being called for contact 82 times to 30. They were also whistled for obstruction 24 times to the Mystics' four.
De Bruin said her team lost focus and paid the price.
"We started playing their game, instead of our own game," she said.
"They were bringing the ball down really fast and we couldn't quite nail it.
"We started to force the ball in when it wasn't on. We have to be careful in the circle, we threw a lot of ball away."
Mystics never once led, conceding the opening two goals and quickly finding themselves 4-10 down.
They trailed 10-14 after the first quarter and 22-26 at halftime.
The second-half introduction of former Silver Ferns goal keep Vilimaina Davu appeared to lift the Mystics as they levelled the scores at 29-29.
However, the Fever refused to let them lead and pulled away again to lead 38-35 with a quarter to play.
That lead was soon stretched to 42-36 to effectively seal the result against a Mystics side who slump to three losses from three ahead of a match against Queensland Firebirds in Brisbane next weekend.
- NZPA
