It’s a fast turnaround for the Northern Mystics as they head south over the Bombay Hills to face the Magic for the second time this week.

Monday night’s match at The Trusts Arena was a low scoring, defensive encounter with multiple turnovers between goals.

Northern Mystics Head Coach, Tia Winikerei, says, “I thought our defense was outstanding. It was a really low scoring game, like terribly low scoring, and that was because both teams brought a very, very strong defensive effort.”

With both teams having time to reflect on this match, we can expect that Saturday’s game at Globox Arena in Hamilton will be just as intense but with less turnovers and higher scoring by both sides, “I still think it will be really tough and highly defensive. I think you’ll see some sharper attack from both sides and different strategies to try and overcome the pressure that was applied defensively by both sides” says Winikerei.

Fans were treated to some outstanding on court battles on Monday and Winikerei believes that the match up to watch on Saturday will be between Mystics attacking maestro Peta Toeava and Magics mid court dynamo Georgie Edgecombe, “they’re both incredibly athletic, for different reasons, and in a lot of ways they’re mismatched in their skill sets, which is what makes it such a good battle.”

With Catherine Hall leading the league in intercepts and Toeava in feeds, Winikerei says that the aim for the Mystics will be shifting the ball with better speed on attack, getting better flow and then increasing scoring opportunities, no easy feat when up against the defensive might of Edgecombe, Mikaere and Tong.

As the competition heads into the pointy end both teams will be desperate for the win and the opportunity to play finals netball.

But before then there is still one piece of silver ware up for grabs, the Hobbiton Cup. It’s currently held by the Mystics and residing in Auckland, and hopefully after Saturday’s encounter, that is where is will stay.

Magic v Mystics
Saturday 21st June 2025
Globox Arena, Hamilton
Live on TVNZ 2 at 4pm