Kiwis Opti-Mystics as Aussie Hoodoo Ends

The Northern Mystics have broken their Australian hoodoo, defeating the West Coast Fever 56-54 at Challenge Stadium in Perth.

The West Coast Fever started strongly against the visitors, with four of the first six goals, as WAIS sharp shooter Caitlin Bassett looked strong early. Both sides were confident to move the ball down the court as the match went goal for goal in the free flowing match.

The Fever defensive line was at its best as WAIS scholarship holder Susan Fuhrmann, Ama Agbeze, Andrea Gilmore (WAIS) and Shae Bolton (WAIS) were able to pressure every pass and force their New Zealand counterparts into mistakes. The Mystics then rallied from a two goal deficit, scoring three straight goals with just minutes remaining in the first. Through the strong offensive drives of Bolton and Sarah Ebbott, the Fever were able to regain their lead in the dying seconds to head into the first change up 17-14.

Young goal keeper Jess Moulds was replaced by the experienced Rachel Rasmussen for the Mystics in an attempt to halt Caitlin Bassett’s high early scoring rate in the second. The move appeared to pay off early as the visitors drew level, forcing goal defender Ama Agbeze to call a time-out. Agbeze was replaced by Fever captain Joh Curran, and the match continued to go goal for goal. Both sides were accurate in their ball delivery, ensuring their shooters the best possible avenues to goal, and it wasn’t until the last 30 seconds that the Fever was able to capitalise. The Fever scored two quick goals to maintain their three goal lead heading into half time.

The Mystics introduced experienced former Australian Megan Dehn at wing attack for the third, but her side still struggled to penetrate the Fever defence. The Fever looked the better side as they scored seven of eight goals to extend their lead to seven. Shae Bolton was inspirational at centre, in both offence and defence, while Bassett continued her fantastic year, remaining strong under the post, despite the heavy contests from both Mystics defenders Anna Scarlett and Rasmussen.

However each time the Fever appeared to pull away, the Mystics found another gear, forcing their way back into the match. Scarlett and wing defender Kayla Cullen threw themselves into every contest as the Mystics desperately stayed in touch. An after the whistle goal to Caitlin Bassett ensured the Fever won the quarter by just one goal, and sent the home side into the final term up by four, 44-40.

The Mystics threw everything they had into each contest in the final quarter, as two big rebounds by the visitors defence set up goal attack Maria Tutaia. Tutaia, the Kiwi hero from the Commonwealth Games gold medal match, was again on song as the Mystics took the lead for the first time in the match since the opening minute.

The Fever defence struggled to contain the run and flow the Mystics had midway through the final quarter. Eight straight Mystics’ goals pushed their lead out to two, before an Ama Agbeze intercept sparked the Fever attack as the home side drew level with five minutes remaining.

The Mystics again tried to pull away, but Caitlin Bassett remained steady under the post to keep her side bin the match. Late turnovers were Fever’s downfall as Mystics goal defence Anna Scarlett proved a match winner for her side. The Mystics remained cool under pressure to seal the two goal win, and keep their finals hopes alive.

– Netball WA