Defending champions Northern Mystics have rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to topple Mainland Tactix 68-64 and book a spot in the ANZ Premiership grand final.
Leading by two goals at halftime, the Aucklanders trailled by three at the end of the third quarter, after the southerners scored five unanswered goals to sweep into the lead.
The Tactix still led halfway through the final stanza, but their rivals responded with a five-goal run of their own to snatch the initiative, before another three-goal burst carried them clear to the finish.
"I think, for us, it's just heart," reflected Mystics captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson. "We really, really wanted to win and we've got a really experienced group, so we know what it feels like to be behind and what it takes to pull through."
Spurred on by their Christchurch fans, the Tactix shooters actually converted their chances at a better rate (94%), with Ellie Bird missing just one of her 56 attempts in the third quarter, but the Mystics midcourt generated more chances for their attack circle, where Grace Nweke was on target with 60 of her 70 opportunities.
Northern Mystics celebrate their ANZ Premiership elimination victory. (Source: Photosport)
Circle defenders Phoenix Karaka and Catherine Hall frustrated their rivals under goal, with the Tactix putting up only 68 shots from their 82 circle feeds. The Mystics found Nweke a much bigger target, with 78 attempts from 81 feeds.
The Mystics struggled to stay in contention through the regular season, with Nweke sidelined by a knee injury, but her return last month sparked a four-game winning streak that carried them into the elimination playoff.
By contrast, the Tactix dropped their final three games dropped three of their last four games to fall from atop the competition table, with a fourth defeat now depriving them another shot at the title. Coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek steps down from her role without ever capturing the ultimate prize in her eight years in charge.The result sees the Mystics progress to next Sunday's final against Central Pulse in Wellington — the northerners won their last encounter two weeks ago.
"We've tried not to think too far ahead, but I think less is more," explained Sokolich-Beatson of her team's preparation for the title game. "Whatever we do will be quality and not too much.
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"We've had so many injuries, everyone's had to play solid minutes and, at the back end of the season, everyone's prepared to play finals netball.
Northern Mystics 68 (Nweke 60/70, Vui 7/7, Binks 1/1) Mainland Tactix 64 (Bird 55/56, Selby-Rickit 5/7, Allan 4/5)
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