Netball's grand final hosting rights on the line
Photo:
© Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
The Mystics and Tactix will vie this weekend for the right to host the ANZ Premiership netball grand final.
The Tactix beat the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 68-57 on Monday night, leaving them trailing the Northern Mystics by two points at the head of the ladder.
The Mystics and Tactix will clash in Auckland on Sunday in a final round match, with the winner going through to the grand final.
The loser will play either the Central Pulse or Southern Steel in the elimination final.
The Pulse have a two point edge over the Steel for third place and can confirm a place in the elimination final if they beat the Magic on Saturday.
But if they lose, the Steel get their chance to clinch that berth when they play the Stars on Monday.
The Mystics, Tactix and Pulse all won their games in the latest round, with the Tactix protecting their unbeaten home run for the season with their victory over the Magic.
It was a commanding 22-12 second quarter performance that set the Tactix up for the win. The Magic rallied strongly in the third quarter, but the experienced heads in the Tactix ensured the lead would not be relinquished.
Magic captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio brilliantly nailed six from eight super shots but her side will rue their inability to match it with the Tactix in that second quarter.
Ellie Bird landed 55 from her 60 attempts, backed up by goal attack Te Paea Selby Rickit with 13 from 15, while Saviour Tui shot 28 from 31, plus one of out two on the super shot, while Ekenasio shot from 15 from 16, plus her six super shots.
Tayla Earle in action for the Mystics against the Steel.
Photo:
Photosport
Filda Vui's expertise on the super shot came in very handily for the Mystics as they withstood a final quarter charge from the Steel to win 56-52 in Auckland on Saturday.
The Steel were three points down after three quarters but with five minutes left to play they led by one goal.
The Mystics held their nerve better and with Vui calmly slotting the two super shots they repelled the challenge from the Steel, who got a bonus point for their efforts.
Donnell Wallam shot 45 from 49 for the Mystics while Vui had five from six on the one pointers and three from four on the two pointers.
Aliyah Dunn was accuracy personified for the Steel, with 38 from 38 on the one pointers and landing one of her two super shots.
The Pulse were down on player power, with Whitney Souness ruled out with concussion and Fa'amu Ioane both out ill, but they proved too strong for the Stars, with a 65-44 victory.
Goal attack Amorangi Malesala landed a super shot on the buzzer to give the Pulse a 17-11 lead after the first quarter, but the Stars fought back gamely in the second quarter, and were still in the game at three-quarter time, but the Pulse powered home in the last stanza, winning it 22-7.
Amelia Walmsley shot 46 from 49 for the Pulse, ably backed up by Malesala with nine from 10 on the one pointers and three from seven on the two pointers.
Maia Wilson landed 35 from 39, while Crystal Maro shot five from seven.
Pulse defender Parris Mason had a heavy fall and left the court in a wheelchair. The Pulse said on Monday initial scans were promising, but couldn't yet say when she will return to play.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors put NRL season back on track with victory over Wests Tigers
Demitric Vaimauga and Leka Halasima celebrate a try against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ Analysis: On a weekend when all four NZ Warriors teams produced extraordinary winning performances, the first-grade team set aside some mid-season wobbles to consolidate their top-four position on the NRL table. On Saturday, the club's Jersey Flegg (U21) side rallied from 20 points down with 10 minutes remaining to prevail 44-42 over Wests Tigers. On Sunday, the reserves stretched their unbeaten NSW Cup streak to 12 games against West Magpies, before the wahine RELATED] secured their first-ever home NRLW victory] 14-0 over Parramatta Eels. In some ways, the premiers' achievement - the 34-14 triumph over the Tigers - was the least of the four, but important nevertheless, as they took another step towards clinching a playoff position. Here are some of the key talking points: With the loss of Luke Metcalf to injury for the season , much of the pre-game attention focused on replacement half Tanah Boyd , who was making his Warriors debut, but had logged 69 first-grade games for Gold Coast Titans in the previous six seasons. The transition seemed seamless and, if anything, Boyd may actually improve the Warriors' kicking potency, both from the tee and in general play. For all his strengths, Metcalf was arguably the least-accurate fulltime goalkicker in the competition, with a conversion success rate of 67 percent. By contrast, Boyd brought an 81 percent return from NSW Cup and immediately took over the duties from centre Adam Pompey and fullback Taine Tuaupiki, probably the other leading candidates for the role, slotting five of six attempts. Elsewhere, he immediately took over the kicking load from halves partner Chanel Harris-Tavita to the tune of 14-4 and his seven bombs were the most by a Warriors player this season. That kicking split was eerily similar to the 18-5 ratio between Metcalf and CHT in consecutive wins over South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks - perhaps their best performance of the season. Taking that responsibility seemed to free up Harris-Tavita, who responded with a try double, a try assist, a linebreak and two linebreak assists. Fittingly, he scored his second try, when he chased a high kick from Boyd that went loose behind the goal-line. "He talks really well," coach Andrew Webster reflected. "I think everyone was clear on their roles and where they needed to be - that's his strength, and he kicks the ball really high and far. Tanah Boyd kicks skyward against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ "The big thing is they were looking to fade outside his right shoulder a couple of times and he came up with some big tackles by himself. His focus was to defend well and he did that tonight." Many to choose from, including Boyd and Harris-Tavita. Winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (271) and fullback Taine Tuaupiki (223) - deputising for injured Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad - both exceeded 200 running metres for the game, while prop Terrell May could only manage 137 to lead the Tigers in this regard. Hooker Wayde Egan had 54 tackles, while prop Jackson Ford, promoted to the starting line-up, made 48. "A lot of people had their individual best games for a long time," Webster said. "They focused on their jobs and executed their roles, and that helped each other. "We were just talking about who played well and I think we listed just about every player - that's always a good feeling." If you put any stock in Fantasy NRL, the most points (67) went to teenage second-rower Leka Halasima, who also produced… With seven minutes remaining, the Tigers only trailled 22-14 and a try then would have made for another nervous finish for the Warriors. When Boyd kicked skywards towards the tryline, Halasima bore down on winger Corey Staines, pressuring him into error. The ball went loose behind the line, somehow Te Maire Martin resisted the temptation to reach out and Harris-Tavita was next to arrive for the try that finally put the result to bed. Moments later, Halasima put the cherry on the performance, shrugging off two tacklers on the left sideline to score in the corner - his seventh try of the season. Chanel Harris-Tavita scores a try against Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/ "The last one just showed how brilliant he is," Webster said. "The best part about Leka's game tonight was he was trying to be aggressive in his collision - he got one wrong unfortunately. "We know how flashy he can be in those big plays, but it's the work ethic and toughness that we want him to get better at, and I thought there were signs tonight he was chasing that." Centre Rocco Berry continued his cursed season of injury, leaving the game just before halftime with what seemed like a dislocated shoulder. Depending on severity, that could spell the end of his campaign, which has never really reached full flight, after undergoing shoulder surgery in the off-season. He missed the opening four rounds of the regular season and a hamstring strain delayed his return, then he copped a one-game suspension in his first game, tweaked the hammy two games later and only returned against Brisbane Broncos two weeks ago, before the bye. Berry has managed just five appearances this season, but didn't finish two of them. "Sometimes that's a season, sometimes you can rehab them," Webster said. "We'll just wait and see on that one." Only a couple of weeks after suffering concussion in reserve grade, Tuaupiki was on the receiving end of another big hit from opposition winger Jeral Skelton, but bounced back to his feet and responded with a long run down the right sideline to set up Halasima's try in the final minute. Victory at this juncture of the season was absolutely crucial, especially against a team that seemed a fairly safe two points in the offering. After their first back-to-back losses of the season against Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos, the Warriors needed to nip their mini-slide in the bud, but against the context of a shaky record emerging from bye weeks. Both those obstacles were safely overcome and the result consolidates a spot in the top four for at least another couple of weeks. The Warriors ended the game six points clear of their nearest pursuers, but both Penrith and Brisbane cut into that buffer with subsequent wins over Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans. Both are now riding five-game winning streaks, so they have momentum on their sides. The Broncos also have another bye up their sleeves, while the Panthers have recovered, after a disastrous start to their pursuit of a fifth straight NRL crown. While the Warriors now have eight more games in their run home - hopefully - to the playoffs, six are against opponents currently outside the top eight. The two exceptions - against Canterbury Bulldogs and Manly Sea Eagles - are both across the Tasman. Four of them are home games and winning those would be enough to see them into the post-season. They probably need a fifth win to remain in the top four. The Warriors travel to Newcastle, where they face a Knights team languishing in 13th place on the table and missing star fullback Kalyn Ponga indefinitely to a foot injury. They lost forward Dylan Lucas to a foot injury in this week's loss to Melbourne Storm and Fletcher Sharpe - one of their best performers this season - to a lacerated kidney. Kiwis hooker Phoenix Crossland was also charged with his third dangerous contact offence this season against the Storm, but will escape with a fine, if he takes the early guilty plea. For the Warriors, Berry seems likely to miss time with his latest shoulder complaint, but Webster will presumably have Kurt Capewell back from Origin recovery and centre Ali Leiataua available, after testing his dodgy knee in reserve grade this weekend. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Netball: Northern Mystics set to host ANZ Premiership Grand Final
Prolific Mystics shooter Donnell Wallam scored 57 goals for the Auckland side. Photo: Joshua Devenie / Photosport Auckland's Northern Mystics have stormed into the ANZ Premiership Grand Final, outclassing the Tactix by 14 points in netball's top of the table clash. The 70-56 win on Sunday night secures the Auckland side hosting rights for the championship decider in a fortnight with the two-time defending champions advancing directly to the final. With both teams at full-strength, the Mystics showed their depth of quality with Australian shooter Donnell Wallam and rising young defender Catherine Hall in the game early. Despite the stinging loss, the Mainland Tactix remain in the hunt for the grand final and will now take on Wellington's Pulse in the elimination final next Sunday. After qualifying in second place, the Canterbury side will prepare to host the elimination final at Wolfbrook Arena. On Saturday the Pulse came through in a thriller with a last gasp win against the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. Pulse shooter Amorangi Malesala scored a two point shot on the buzzer to seal the incredible win for her side. Tomorrow night the Steel take on the Stars to sign off their contrasting seasons in the final round in Invercargill. Both sides are now out of contention for the finals.
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Black Sox looking for eighth win at Softball World Cup
The New Zealand Black Sox have won their Super Round, and will fight for their eighth title in the final of the WBSC Mens Softball World Cup, on Monday. Photo: WBSC New Zealand's Black Sox are through to the WBSC Mens Softball World Cup Final, after a huge 8-3 win against Japan in the Super Round. They'll face Venezuela in the Gold Medal final on Monday, a rematch of the 2013 World Championship, where Aotearoa came out on top. The Black Sox are the worlds most decorated softball team, with seven world titles under their belt. The game against Japan was not only a must-win game for the New Zealand side, but one they had to win by at least five runs to keep their Team Quality Balance (TQB) high enough to make the final. Due to the format of the WBSC World Cup, every run mattered, for and against, and the players delivered under pressure. It was an action-packed opening inning between the two sides and tournament favourites. New Zealand Black Sox captain Cole Evans sent a rise ball over the fence against Japan in the top of the first inning, on Sunday. Photo: WBSC New Zealand's bats came out hot, forcing a change in Japan's pitching rotation just four batters in, with the Black Sox scoring four runs in the top of the first. Veteran Ben Enoka got things started with a walk before advancing to second on a deep fly ball by Jerome Raemaki. An error on the transfer allowed Enoka to move to third. Black Sox captain Cole Evans then sent a rise ball over centre field, scoring two runs, to give New Zealand the early momentum. Batting .400 so far in the tournament with two home runs, outfielder Reilly Makea continued the pressure with a hard single through to left field, forcing Japan to make an early pitching change. Ace pitcher for Japan, Hiroki Ikeda, who has pitched 21.1 innings this tournament with 28 strikeouts, was brought in to replace starter Fuga Nagai. Ikeda struck out Thomas Enoka in his first at-bat but couldn't contain the strong Black Sox line-up for long. First baseman Seth Gibson crushed a moon-shot home run to extend the lead to 4-0. Jerome Raemaki Photo: WBSC Starting on the mound for Aotearoa, New Zealand, was young lefty Liam Potts, with catcher Te Wera Bishop calling the shots. Japan responded immediately in the bottom of the first, with a lead-off homerun by Tei Hamamoto. They capitalised on a New Zealand error and a stand-up double from Kazuya Toriyama to bring the score to 4-2. The Black Sox maintained pressure through the middle innings, Jerome Raemaki - who won Black Sox the game against USA on Saturday, stepped up and delivered a deep shot to left field for a sacrifice fly, bringing a run home and extending the lead to 5-2. New Zealand extended their lead in the fourth as veteran Ben Enoka launched a solo home run over centre field, making it 6-2. Japan responded in the bottom of the fourth, narrowing the gap to 6-3 after a lead-off single and an RBI triple to the outfield by Taiyo Kataoka. Black Sox pitcher Pita Rona, son of Brad Rona - a four-time Black Sox world champion. Photo: WBSC Pita Rona would replace Potts on the mound for the Black Sox, holding a strong Japanese side to 0 runs. In the sixth, the Black Sox added a crucial insurance run. Third basemen Rhys Evans smashed a lead-off double and was later brought home on a sacrifice fly from Reilly Makea, extending the lead to 7-3. This was a key moment in their bid to improve their Team Quality Balance. Seth Gibson added his second home run of the game in the seventh, pushing the score to 8-3. This clutch of an at bat would mark Gibson as the WBSC 'Player of the Day.' More to come... Thomas Enoka Photo: WBSC Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
