Needing to win the match to make the play-offs, Mystics were forced to dig deep after a strong comeback from the Steel during the middle quarters of the game. However, a strong start and finish to the match built on the shooting accuracy of Cathrine Latu and a standout performance from rangy defender Anna Scarlett was enough to end a disappointing Steel season. Latu recorded her sixth 100 percent record with a faultless 27 shots from 27 attempts.
The northerners made the best of starts, their seamless transition through court complemented by the accuracy of delivery from Temepara George and Megan Dehn. In-form shooter Latu offered perfect timing and positioning under the hoop as Mystics got away to a flyer, a six-goal unanswered burst helping the visitors bolt out to an 8-1 lead.
Steel had all sorts of problems penetrating their attacking third and were further demoralised by a string of misses from Daneka Wipiiti and Paula Griffin. Scarlett was a menacing presence at one end, disrupting Steel’s shooting options while Latu was a prominent figure at the other with a perfect shooting effort.
It took Steel 10 minutes to score their second goal and Wipiiti 13 to slot her first. Sitting on an 86 percent success rate compared to the home team’s meagre 40, Mystics hit the first break with a 12-6 lead.
Mystics charged out of the blocks on the resumption, threatening to blow Steel off the court as they had no trouble stretching out to a 10-goal advantage. Scarlett, playing a blinder, continued her dominance over Steel’s shooters, who struggled mightily against her long reach and dogged defending. But, on the back of some outstanding play from goalkeeper Leana de Bruin, there were faint signs of a recovery and fight back from the home team as they set about restoring some credibility.
A five-goal unanswered Steel scoring spree and a messy spell blighted by a string of turnovers from the visitors helped the southerners get back in the contest. Shooting accuracy, however, continued to be a concern. Sitting on 81 percent accuracy compared to the Steel’s 55 percent, helped Mystics go to the main break with a 22-16 lead.
A noticeable momentum shift, built on sterling work from de Bruin, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit and Wendy Frew put Mystics off their stride. It had a positive effect on Steel’s attacking line, who moved the ball with more intent while Griffin lifted her accuracy levels.
The Steel’s defensive work put Mystics attackers under the pump, the southerners staging one of their familiar stirring comebacks as they chipped the deficit back to just two. However, a late rally restored Mystics advantage as they headed down the home straight with a 33-28 lead.
Scoring the first four goals of the final spell provided the impetus for the Mystics to maintain their overall edge as any further hints of a southern revival were quashed.
