MATCH REPORT – SKYCITY MYSTICS vs SILVERMOON TACTIX
The SKYCITY Mystics have bounced back from Wednesday night’s shock loss to the Northern Stars, to record a 63-51 victory over the Silvermoon Tactix in their ANZ Premiership fixture in Nelson yesterday.
It really was a game of two halves, with the home side dominating the opening two quarters. The SKYCITY Mystics had a disruptive build up to the encounter, having only arrived in Nelson on Sunday morning, due to their flight being cancelled on Saturday. They were quite unsettled in the first half and the Tactix managed to capitalise on the SKYCITY Mystics’ mistakes.
Anna Harrison and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson were hunting the ball outside of the shooting circle early on and were able to pick up a couple of deflections each. At the other end, Bailey Mes and Temalisi Fakahokotau were having a great aerial battle with each other, with Fakahokotau also picking up a number tips and intercepts. The SKYCITY Mystics held a slim two-goal lead at the quarter time break. Mererangi Paul was given the nod at centre in the second quarter, replacing Sasha Corbin.
That slim two-goal lead quickly disappeared in the second quarter as the Tactix went on a run. They scored five in a row early in the spell and then another three-goal streak soon after. It was possibly the Tactix best quarter in the ANZ Premiership so far, and they went on to win it 19-11. SKYCITY Mystics coach Helene Wilson brought Storm Purvis into the game at goal keep with six minutes to go in the first half. She combined well with Harrison, who moved out to goal defence. However, the Tactix held their nerve and headed into the changing rooms at half time with a six-goal lead (32-26).
Whatever coaches Helene Wilson and Jenny-May Clarkson said at half time worked, because the SKYCITY Mystics were a complete different side in the second half. The visitors went on a nine-goal streak and within six minutes they had regained the lead. Purvis was a menace alongside Harrison down the defensive end. The duo alongside Samon Nathan at wing defence restricted the Tactix to just five goals in the third quarter.
Maria Tutaia was nailing her long-range shots, while Mererangi Paul found her groove and fed some lovely passes into her shooters. Elisapeta Toeava was back to her usual best at wing attack, recovering from an ankle injury that forced her to leave the court four minutes into Wednesday night’s game against the Stars.
Brooke Watt entered the game at wing defence with seven minutes to go in the quarter and Nathan shifted into centre for Paul who had a solid 20 minutes of court time. The SKYCITY Mystics won the quarter 19-5 to lead 45-37 at the break. The SKYCITY Mystics continued their dominance in the final quarter as well. The ball flowed with ease through the court to the shooters and Purvis and Harrison bagged a number of intercepts and deflections between them. With five minutes left on the clock, Corbin returned to the court at wing attack, Sokolich-Beatson replaced Harrison and Tera-Maria Amani came on at goal shoot for Bailey Mes.
The SKYCITY Mystics will be happy with the win, but they know they’ll have their work cut out for them against the Central Pulse in next week’s must-win clash at the North Shore Events Centre.
Full time score: 63-51 SKYCITY Mystics
MVP: Maria Tutaia
Visit HERE for all ANZ Premiership stats from the match.
The SKYCITY Mystics next game is at home at the NORTH SHORE EVENTS CENTRE. It’s on Wednesday 31 May at 7:40pm against the Central Pulse. It will be a must-win game as the SKYCITY Mystics make a push towards the ANZ Premiership playoffs. Get your tickets for that match HERE.