Tactix 63
Mystics 56
Canterbury Tactix captain Julie Seymour last night signed off her 15-year netball career on a high, leading her side to a convincing win over the Northern Mystics in Christchurch.
With all the focus of the final round centring on the battle for top-four spots, last night's match between two of the stragglers could have been forgettable. But although both sides' playoff hopes were dead weeks ago, the match was played with fierce passion.
The Tactix were eager to end their year on a high with the fixture likely to be Seymour's last game at the top level.
Seymour, who is pregnant with her fourth child, last month announced her retirement from international netball.
The 38-year-old last night showed why she will be a huge loss for Canterbury and New Zealand netball, with a brilliant performance in the midcourt.
Seymour said while it had been a disappointing season for her side, she was thrilled to lead them to one last win. "We've been pretty up and down; I think at times we've played some brilliant netball and at other times it's been pretty ugly. But it was nice to finish on a winning note," she said. "I started my career in red and black and I think it's fitting to finish in the red and black."
The opening quarter resembled exhibition netball, with both sides' playing fast and letting the ball go.
After a free-flowing first stanza, the Tactix were ahead 17-15 at the break.
The hosts found another gear in the second period, opening the quarter with a blistering 8-1 run after capitalising on Mystics' errors.
The new Mystics defensive pairing of Vilimaina Davu and Finau Pulu, who replaced Stephanie Bond at goal defence at quarter time, initially struggled to find their combination. The experienced Tactix attack line took advantage, with Seymour and Maree Bowden putting in some beautiful balls to shooter Jodi Brown.
Mystics midcourt dynamo Temepara George sparked a mini-resurgence midway through the period, forcing a couple of turnovers to bring her side back within four goals.
But the Tactix pulled away again and led 34-27 at halftime.
Both sides tightened up their defence in the third period, with the game becoming more physical. Tactix defender Charlotte Kight was a casualty of the physicality, forced from the court early in the spell after sustaining a nasty knock to her right shoulder.
But the Tactix lost little with the introduction of Victoria Smith to goal keep, with the home side maintaining a handy advantage over the Mystics through the third quarter.
The last time the two sides' met, the Tactix blew a six-goal lead heading in to the final spell to allow the Mystics to sneak away with a narrow win. This time, the Tactix put their foot down to pay Seymour a proud tribute.
