Mystics survive loss of star shooter to pip Steel
Filda Vui
Photo:
Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
A chaotic last couple of minutes saw the
Mystics pip the Steel 55-54
courtesy of a super shot in the dying minutes of the match in Dunedin last night.
The Mystics are top of the ANZ Premiership netball ladder after three rounds but will be crossing their fingers that Donnell Wallam's injury is not too serious.
Wallam landed heavily on her left wrist to break her landing just before the third quarter break and had to leave the court. At that point the Australian import had shot 32 goals from 35 in Dunedin.
The Mystics led 47-42 going into the final quarter.
Filda Vui took the goal shoot bib and Hannah Glen went to goal attack.
Intercepts to defender Carys Stythe and Kimiora Poi set the Steel up for a spirited comeback and the home side went on a 7-1 run at the start of the final quarter before the Mystics called a time-out and composed themselves.
With around six minutes left, wing attack Peta Toeava then switched to goal attack, something that the Mystics have experimented with at training.
At 169cm tall Toeava is the shortest player in the competition. And with Vui standing at 180cm, it was most likely the shortest shooting combination ever seen at the ANZ Premiership level.
The scores were locked 52-all with five minutes left, when the super shot period kicked in.
The home side then scored off a turnover, Vui then missed a super shot attempt, and the Steel scored again to lead by two.
Donnell Wallam
Photo:
Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
But Vui wasn't done. The 29-year-old sunk a super shot and the scores were tied with over a minute left on the clock.
A hesitant Steel then coughed up possession and Vui added what would be the final goal of the game.
"Honestly it was a bit ballsy from me to take a two when it was that close but Peta trusted in me to get it but I missed but luckily we had centre pass and I got it back," Vui said.
The Mystics have experienced losing a starting shooter to injury before with their former strike shooter Grace Nweke.
But Vui said they had practised for different scenarios.
"Luckily we had some practised some different combos at training so it wasn't too new, we got there in the end.
"With me and Peta, we know we're short so we have to really open the circle up and make the defence choose who they have to mark."
The Steel will be disappointed. They led the Mystics 17-13 at the first break and there were plenty of great phases of play from the home side.
Silver Ferns midcourter Kimiora Poi, who moved to the Steel after several seasons at the Tactix, was the ultimate pivot at centre and picked up the MVP.
The Steel maintained a buffer until Vui replaced Hannah Glen at goal attack with just over five minutes left in the second quarter.
Vui sunk three successive super shots and the Mystics took a 31-30 half-time lead.
Neither sides were giving up possession easily. By half-time, the Mystics had only committed five turnovers and the Steel six.
The Mystics defenders started applying more pressure on the Steel in the second half.
In the end Vui nailed four out of seven attempts at the two-point shot, while the Steel shooters sunk three.
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