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Scoop
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Mystics Pip Steel To Stay On Top
The Northern Mystics kept their unbeaten record intact after snatching a dramatic last-gasp 55-54 win over Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel to close out Round 3 in Dunedin on Monday. Losing their key shooting weapon Donnell Wallam just ahead of the three-quarter break to injury, the Mystics produced a masterstroke when shifting dynamic midcourt pivot Peta Toeava into the goal attack role for the last nine minutes. It turned out to be a pulsating nine minutes, Toeava proving she's a magician in most positions on the court as the teams turned on a thirilling contest. Down by five at the last break, intercepts to defender Carys Stythe and Kimiora Poi set the Steel up for a spirited comeback. Mystics shooter Filda Vui negated the Steel's two-point lead to level the scores with a super shot with under two minutes to play. One last Holly Rae turnover gave the Mystics the sniff they needed to clinch a hard-fought win against an impressive Steel challenge. The result helped the visitors retain the Georgina Salter Memorial Trophy in a match which also celebrated umpire Kristie Simpson, who was officiating in her 150th national league match. Still missing midcourter Kate Heffernan through injury, the Steel retained their winning starting seven from the previous week. For the visitors, goal attack Hannah Glen got her first start of the season in an otherwise predictable line-up. The connection between clever feeder Peta Toeava and her tall shooting target Wallam was evident from the first whistle as the Mystics quickly sprung into action with their quick through-court transition. The Steel needed to show more patience threading the ball through in the face of strong defence but showing traits of old, the southerners ball retention was a feature. The visitors held the slimmest of early leads where Wallam and her opposite Aliyah Dunn showed perfect positioning and great accuracy under the hoop. With everything very even on the statistics sheet, a steady, calm and patient Steel forged their way into the lead, Georgia Heffernan nailing the first and only super shot of the quarter to take the momentum and a 17-13 lead into the first break. Both shooters remained in dominant form on the resumption where a goal-for-goal stand-off was the order of play for the opening exchanges. Both teams spun the ball through court seamlessly with Steel centre Poi in the thick of all the action. A lift in the Mystics intensity helped the visitors eventually gain the slightest of edges through the second spell. The injection of super shot specialist Vui at goal attack for the last five minutes paid off handsomely in changing momentum the Mystics' way.. With unassuming ease, Vui drilled three super shots to Heffernan's one as the Mystics hit the front when taking a tenuous 31-30 lead at the main break. The Mystics opened the third quarter with serious intent, tightening the screws and disrupting the Steel's attacking flow. Captain Micahela Sokolich-Beatson was a telling presence from wing defence, upsetting the Steel's feeds into the circle while getting her hands on a succession of turnover ball. It resulted in errors from the Steel, who at the other end of the court couldn't harness the growing dominance of pin-point feeds from Toeava and Vui into the safe hands of Wallam. With the Mystics lead stretching out to six, Dunn showed she could shoot from anywhere when slotting a super shot to keep the Steel well in the race. Disaster struck on the brink of three-quarter time when Wallam fell heavily while trying to retrieve a rebound, sustaining a wrist injury in the process and forcing her off the court. Vui went back to goal shoot with Glen returning to goal attack as the Mystics headed into the last break with a 47-42 lead.
Otago Daily Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Steel pipped by Mystics
The Southern Steel have fallen agonisingly short, 55-54, to the Northern Mystics in Dunedin. But it was a game that had everything and showed the Steel why they are worthy of being in the hunt for the playoffs. Down 47-42 at the start of fourth quarter tonight, the Steel levelled the game 47-47 early. Captain Kimiora Poi came flying through the court for an intercept - bringing coach Wendy Frew to her feet with a fist pump - to take a 49-48 lead and forced the Mystics into a timeout. Looking for answers with Australian Diamond shooter Donnell Wallam sidelined with a wrist injury, Peta Toeava moved into goal attack with Tayla Earle taking the wing attack role. It worked immediately with the visitors regaining a two-point lead as the Steel struggled to settle. But the home side fought back to level it yet again and then extend to a two-point lead. Filda Vui nailed a two-pointer to level the game, and then settled for a one to win it. The victory helped the Mystics get their hands on the Georgina Salter Memorial Trophy for the first time. The Steel were tenacious throughout, fighting back through deficits and just needed better execution in key moments under pressure. Poi was a standout for the Steel, doing a power of work throughout the court and finishing with 31 feeds. Aliyah Dunn and Catherine Hall had a good tussle under the post. Dunn started to win the battle when she created space for herself off the hold, allowing her feeders to let the ball go. That helped the Steel start their fightback and eventually take the lead. With 10 seconds left on the clock, Georgia Heffernan lined up the first two-pointer of the game - and nailed it - giving the Steel a 17-13 lead at the first break. Serina Daunakamakama grew into her role throughout the game and created great depth into the pocket. She played with a maturity beyond her 21 years and her option taking was the difference, never afraid to mix up the timing on her feed. The Steel's wall defence off the centre pass made life tough for the Mystics, with Toeava unable to secure first phase. It held up the ball through the court for the Mystics and started to build pressure. The Steel were never afraid to work the ball around, taking the square option to re-set and go again through their attackers. Under pressure in the pocket, Poi's jump feed to Dunn drew a big applause from fans as the crowd. But the Mystics tightened up defensively, pushing the Steel attackers wide and leaving the middle channel open. Down by two points, the Mystics called a timeout and the introduction of Vui at goal attack changed the game. She nailed a two-pointer to level the match, but Heffernan responded with her own to lead 28-26. Vui replied with two more for the Mystics to lead 31-30 at halftime. The visitors' experience showed, allowing them to grind away. Katie Te Ao added longer arms in the middle for the Mystics and captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson put pressure on the feeders. It felt like the Mystics had all the control through the third and jumped out to a 38-33 lead. Carys Stythe used her feet, came around the body to grab a tip, and Kate Lloyd picked up the crumbs to mount a comeback. But they needed more ball defensively and the Mystics used the width of the court to make it hard. Vui made a big difference, letting the ball go and playing a supporting role for Wallam. The Mystics were up by six when Wallam hurt her wrist, and held a 47-42 lead at the break.
