Pulse's Tiana Metuarau made a long awaited return to court. Photo: Photosport
The return of injured shooter Grace Nweke can't come quick enough for the defending champion Mystics after a demoralising 54-38 loss to the Pulse last night.
The Mystics are clinging to third spot on the ladder while the Pulse went to the top of the ANZ Premiership table after their demolition job in Porirua.
The Mystics have now lost their last three games and it's hoped that Nweke, who has been unavailable since round four, might be back in the next round or two.
On top of that the Mystics were also without Peta Toeava for last night's game, after the wing attack was ruled out with a soft tissue knee injury.
The Mystics called on former Silver Fern Kayla Johnson, who has been playing club netball and she got a couple of short stints at centre last night.
Johnson last played for the Mystics in 2016. Her last season in the ANZ Premiership was for the Stars in 2022.
The Pulse got off to a tentative start but led 14-10 after the first quarter.
Together Nweke and Toeava are the scoring heartbeat of the side and without the pair the wheels fell off for the Mystics in the second quarter.
It took the Mystics nearly 11 minutes just to score their first goal of the second quarter.
The visitors eventually scored six goals at the end of the period but trailed 27-16 at half-time.
The game also marked the return of Silver Ferns shooter Tiana Metuarau, who got on court for the first time for the Pulse this year.
Metuarau came on part way through the third quarter but rookie goal shoot Martina Salmon once again anchored the shooting end for the Pulse scoring 40 from 48.
Mystics shooters Filda Vui, Hannah Glen, and Dani Binks had a difficult outing with the Pulse defence relentless.
There was a lot of shuffling in the Mystics midcourt; even captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson spent time in the unfamiliar position of centre at one point.
The Pulse led 41-25 at three quarter time and the Mystics had their best quarter when they drew 13-all with the Pulse in the final spell.
Once again Carys Stythe was a beacon for the Mystics in defence but there weren't many other positives.
Silver Fern Kelly Jackson picked up another MVP after another great night in the defensive end, where her connection with fellow Pulse defender Parris Mason goes from strength to strength.