Showing greater consistency, the Northern Mystics led throughout to retain their grip on the
Hobbiton Cup with a deserved 63-51 win over AVIS Magic in Hamilton on Saturday.

In a short turnaround, the two teams played each other just six days ago, resulting in a hard fought 40-38 win to the Mystics, both sides focussed on control and ball retention after their previous match highlighted an excessively high turnover rate.

With the Magic decked out in green and yellow to signify the traditional Hobbiton Cup match between the two sides, the home side were left relying on the two-point shot after falling behind on the scoreboard.

Both sides presented with the same starting line-ups, the Magic retaining the seven they have used throughout the season while the Mystics also adopted a similar strategy. Replacement shooter Sophia Lafaiali’i was awarded her third straight start while captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson remained in the goal defence role.

In a contrast to their previous match-up, both teams showed promising execution on attack with improved flow and accuracy in an evenly-contested opening stanza.

The Mystics in-circle defensive pairing of Sokolich-Beatson and Catherine Hall continued to impress with their ability to squeeze the Magic shooting pair of Ameliaeranne Ekenasio and Saviour Tui, who responded well through movement and aerial athleticism.

The Mystics enjoyed a slightly higher possession rate but with a 100 percent shooting return the Magic were well in the contest when trailing 13-11 at the first break.

Injected at wing defence for the Mystics on the resumption, Holly Rae had immediate impact when quickly picking up a turnover and an intercept as the visitors made a forceful 9-3 run with Peta Toeava and Tayla Earle taking charge of the midcourt.

That prompted a tactical timeout by an increasingly frustrated Magic ahead of dramatic shift in fortunes as the second stanza unfolded.

With Oceane Maihi and Erena Mikaere lifting their defensive output, the Magic’s shooters also struck a purple patch. Trailing by 11 and looking in a heap of trouble, Ekenasio with one and Tui, four, rose to the occasion from the super shot zone.

Rapidly trimming the deficit with their ability from range while maintaining a 100 percent shooting accuracy, the Magic were hot on the Mystics heels when trailing 30-27 at the main break.

After an even start, a similar pattern developed during the third quarter, another Mystics burst giving the visitors’ the slightest of edges to keep the Magic at arms-length.

The ability of goalkeeper Hall to create turnovers remained a point of difference while at the other end the promising Lafaiali’i defied her limited time at the elite level with an accomplished outing and remaining unruffled as she continued to rattle in the goals.

Captain Ekenasio and Maihi were industrious toilers for the home side, the Magic once again resorting to two pointers in the final five minutes to bridge the gap.

Tui and Ekenasio obliged with one apiece but couldn’t find the same reward as they did in the second quarter as the Mystics forged a decent but not unattainable 46-40 lead at the last break.

The Mystics enjoyed 23 more shots at goal and despite the Magic having a high accuracy rate, volume of ball proved the difference. The Mystics were more consistent overall and able to rally when the home side produced a flurry of two-pointers.

Despite Saviour Tui hitting a sensational seven super shots for the Magic, it was all too little too late with the Mystics providing a telling last quarter to snuff out any hopes of an ambush from the home side, taking a comfortable 63-51 win and maintaining a comfortable position in the top of the table.