LG Mystics succumb to unbeaten Swifts

Saturday, 29 May 2010

The NSW Swifts continued their unblemished record this season with a 54-48 win over a desperate LG Mystics in Auckland ANZ Championship action today.

The result has almost certainly spelt the end of the LG Mystics chances of making the top four as the Swifts went on to notch their tenth straight win.

The Swifts were able to absorb all the pressure exerted by the inconsistent LG Mystics, who matched quality with a lack of discipline which was highlighted when shooter Maria Tutaia was stood down in the final two minutes for persistent infringing. Maintaining their status at the top of the table, the Swifts impressed with a cohesive team effort in which all members played their part.

Both teams presented with predictable line-ups in an entertaining and fast-paced opening quarter. Finding an easier passage through court, it was the visitors who broke the early impasse. Swifts shooters Catherine Cox and Susan Pratley were on song from the outset, returning a perfect record under the hoop as the pair interchanged their roles expertly.

At the other end of the court, defenders Sonia Mkoloma and Rebecca Bulley continued their impressive form this season to put the heat on LG Mystics shooters Cathrine Latu and Maria Tutaia. Despite the best efforts of Latu, who lacked support at times, it was the all-conquering visitors who were the dominant force in a physical opening as they charged out to a 17-11 lead at the first break.

Showing a desperation that was missing in the first quarter, the LG Mystics roared out of the blocks on the resumption. Lifting their intensity levels as Tutaia and Joline Henry injected themselves more purposefully into the game, the LG Mystics produced an exciting fightback. Captain Temepara George was in the thick of the action, producing precision feeding on attack and snapping intercepts defensively as the home team clawed back the deficit to muscle their way into the lead for the first time.

After a spell of exciting razzle dazzle, a sense of normality returned as the teams went goal-for-goal. Not for the first time this season, however, it was inconsistencies which were to count against the home team, the Swifts getting their noses back in front on the back of better composure and the unwavering accuracy of Pratley.

A testy and willing confrontation ensued through the third quarter where the ball swung from end to end as passage in to the respective goal circles became more difficult. Frantic in their efforts to stay in the match led to wasted ball by the LG Mystics as errors and a high penalty count took hold of their game.

The Swifts weathered the storm as momentum swung back their way, surging out to an impregnable lead with their clinical and precise play. The LG Mystics could make no headway against the influential Cox and Pratley, the home team blighted by simple errors and risky play as the Swifts marched imperiously on to a healthy 44-35 lead at the last break.

True to form, the LG Mystics’ roller coaster form continued in the closing quarter as they mounted a late rally. Two runs of five straight goals hauled them back into the reckoning but the Swifts composure remained staunch as they held their nerve and with it their unbeaten run.