Grace Nweke of the Mystics during the ANZ Netball Premiership round 6 match between the Magic in Rotorua. Photo: Photosport
The Northern Mystics are back at the top of the ANZ netball premiership ladder after a 60-49 win over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Auckland yesterday.
The two sides had met twice before this season with a win apiece.
Hampered by injuries to several players, the Mystics were missing captain Sulu Fitzpatrick for the fourth week, Tayla Earle was out with a foot injury, and in-form shooter Monica Falkner was also ruled out through illness.
Former team member Claire O'Brien, called in from Australia last week, started at centre for the home side.
After an even first half, the Mystics turned in a storming third quarter, to leave the Magic on the back foot and unable to muster an effective counter response attack.
The Mystics dominated possession having a 77 shots on goal compared to the Magic's 58.
The game marked Magic skipper Ameliaranne Ekenasio's 100th national league match.
The Mystics have seven wins from nine games and are in action again tonight against fellow Auckland side the fourth placed Northern Stars.
The Magic sit fifth in the six team competition with four wins, ahead of only the Southern Steel who remain winless.
Earlier, the Tactix ground out a 50-31 win over the Southern Steel in Dunedin in a low-scoring spectacle.
Also with seven wins from nine games are the Tactix who sit in second spot.
- RNZ