Mystics book grand final berth while desperate Stars still alive

Silver Ferns midcourter Gina Crampton in action for the Stars against the Mystics.
Photo: Photosport

The Mystics will be top qualifiers for netball’s ANZ Premiership finals after beating the Stars 63-58 in a dramatic Auckland derby that had major ramifications for both teams.

The result means the Mystics leapfrog the Pulse at the top of the standings and are handed an automatic pathway to the grand final on June 4.

And by picking up a bonus point, the beaten Stars are likely to finish third and therefore contest the elimination final against the defending champion Pulse on Sunday next week.

The outcome went down to the wire for the Stars, who trailed by 10 goals during the final quarter but rattled off the last five goals to secure the all-important bonus point.

They can only be knocked out of third if the fourth-placed Tactix can topple the Mystics by a significant margin – of around 15 goals – in the final match of the regular season in Auckland on Monday.

If victorious, the Tactix would move level with the Stars, with goal percentage determining who advances.

A big first quarter, won 18-13, set the Mystics up for victory before the rest of the match produced tense netball as the Stars battled to keep the deficit close.

In a bid to negate the height of Mystics shooter Grace Nweke, the Stars opted for the imposing presence of Kelera Nawai-Caucau at goalkeeper in otherwise predictable line-ups.

It didn’t stop Silver Ferns star Nweke from landing 52 of 56 shots in another imposing display – often assisted by the vision of wing attack Peta Toeava.

Strong defensive work from Elle Temu and Nawai-Caucau, who gained much-needed turnover ball, and a change of attacking strategy from shooters Maia Wilson (33 from 36) and Amorangi Malesala (25 from 29), helped the Stars finish with a flourish.

– RNZ