The Mystics maintained their recent dominance in the Barfoot and Thompson Northern
Challenge, a surging second half pushing them to a 71-55 win over the Go Media Stars at
Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland on Sunday.

Fans from across Tāmaki Makaurau showed how excited they were to have ANZ
Premiership netball back, as they filled the stadium for the round one local derby, in blue and
purple with energetic and vocal support for both teams.

It was the visiting Stars who got away to a flying start, holding sway over the defending
champions during the first stanza with slick through-court play and a flurry of pin-point
shooting.

Stars Australian import Bell had the honour of sinking the first Summerset Super Shot of the
opening quarter, the 1.96m sharp shooter igniting a bonanza of double point shots which
take effect in the last five minutes of each quarter.

Stars captain Maia Wilson joined in from goal attack, the shooting pair produced an
impressive opening, the skipper chiming in with a nonchalant three super point shots.

Not to be outdone, Filda Vui ensured the Mystics stayed well in touch, the goal attack
seamlessly executing three double-point shots, the quarter producing eight super shots in
total.

The super shots dried up from that point with no more being recorded through the following
three-quarters of the match as the Mystics overcame a slow start, grinding their way to the
front before picking up the pace and romping home.

It was just before the quarter break that Greer Sinclair became the first of the Stars players
to leave the court with a knee injury, followed by Burley late in the third quarter with an ankle
injury, and Charlie Bell in the final minutes of the match.

Rocked by the loss of Sinclair, the Stars held on to a narrow 22-20 lead at the first break.
The Stars again came out strong, but a tactical time out by them saw the Mystics taking full
advantage of their own reshuffle and reaping the benefit.

Hannah Glen replaced Vui while at the other end experienced goal defence Holly Rae (nee
Fowler) and rising young goalkeeper Catherine Hall tightened their efforts with a rash of
turnover ball.

Mystics midcourt lynchpin Peta Toeava was an influential figure with her precision feeds to
shooting rock Donnell Wallam, who kept the scoreboard ticking over with a succession of
one-pointers.

In a quarter which produced no super shots, the Mystics overhauled the Stars to take a 35-
32 lead into the main break.

The Stars stayed within arms-length but with their super shots not dropping and having to
constantly chop and change their playing personnel, the Mystics moved up a gear and their
speed through court put them into a position of dominance after taking a 53-45 lead into the
last turn.

Toeava was a shining light, dictating the Mystics attack line with her speed and clever feeds
to ever-reliable 1.93m Australian shooter Wallam, who looks at home in the Mystics shooting
circle, posting 52 from 57 in her first outing in the blue dress.

Defender Charlotte Manley became Mystics player 89 when she took the court in the fourth
quarter, instantly making her presence known with her quick reflexes in the defensive circle.

Happy to nail the win, there was, however, limited celebration from the Mystics out of respect
to the Stars adversity.