The MG Mystics’ finals hopes are well and truly alive after their 68 – 58 defeat of competition leaders the Te Wānanga O Raukawa Pulse in round 14 of the ANZ Premiership at Eventfinda Stadium on Saturday 13 July.

It was the Mystics’ last home game watched on by a sold-out crowd on Auckland’s North Shore and a do or die match to keep their chances of an elimination finals spot.

The match got off to a frenetic start with the Mystics sensing an elimination finals spot at stake and the Pulse keen to secure a home final. The two teams went goal for goal for much of the quarter, both applying tight defence through the midcourt to make for a close contest.

The speed of the ball was impressive at both ends of the court too, with Mystics feeders Peta Toeava and Tayla Earle utilising their angles around the circle edge to get around the Pulse’s renowned defensive duo of Kelly Jackson and Parris Mason.

There was a physical battle between Toeava at wing-attack and imposing wing-defence Fa’amu Ioane who was out hunting for ball from the get-go.

In the Mystics’ defensive end Phoenix Karaka did well to restrict goal-shooter Martina Salmon and even came away with an extraordinary block on her shot to gift the Mystics an opportunity. Mystics centre Tayla Earle played a strong man-on defensive game to shut down opposition centre Claire Kersten who was playing her 100^th national league match.

It was drawn 14-all at the end of the first stanza.

The second quarter saw the Mystics put their foot on the gas, stretching out to a substantial lead whilst remaining composed under intense pressure from the visitors.

Goal-defence Carys Stythe was immense in the defensive end, coming away with two turnovers and a rebound to add to the Mystics’ advantage and sway the momentum securely in their favour. Wing-defence Michaela Sokolich-Beatson followed suit with a turnover and her three-foot pressure over the ball created even more opportunities for her circle defenders.

Filda Vui came off the bench into goal-attack and was instantly confident from long-range, turning and shooting without hesitation and maintaining both good volume and accuracy throughout the quarter.

Trailing the Mystics by nine goals, the Pulse were forced to bring on reinforcements in the form of Amelia Walmsley at goal-shooter and Maddy Gordon at centre. Walmsley provided a strong holding option in the shooting circle but was unable to put up enough shots to make a dent in the Mystics’ lead.

The Mystics headed to the changing sheds with a nine-goal advantage at half-time.

Despite the handy lead, Mystics head coach Tia Winikerei chose to keep her line-up unchanged to start the third quarter in a bid to cement the win and maintain momentum.

Toeava showed her class early on in the quarter with a mind-boggling behind the head pass into Grace Nweke under the post, giving the sold-out home crowd plenty to cheer about.

In the defensive end the Mystics managed to keep the Pulse feeders off the circle edge and made them work hard to deliver ball into their shooters. Phoenix Karaka was moved to goal-keeper to apply physical pressure on Amelia Walmsley, while Carys Stythe slotted into goal-defence.

Katie Te Ao came on at centre and continued the solid work of teammate Tayla Earle throughout the midcourt, particularly on defence.

The Pulse attempted to stage a brief comeback in the later stages of the quarter, but the momentum shift was short-lived and the Mystics held on to a 10-point lead heading into the last quarter.

Both teams entered the final 15-minutes with the intensity of a final, with every pass contested and a pace matching the energy of the first quarter.

Sokolich-Beatson spent a stint in the bin for dangerous play early on and the physicality was echoed right throughout the court as neither team relented, and multiple bodies hit the floor.

Te Ao plucked the ball out of the air to claim an impressive aerial intercept that was quickly converted into points at the opposite end.

In the shooting end Vui continued to slot goals from long-range, while Nweke put up a massive 64 shots, the most of any shooter on the court.

The Pulse managed to dig into the deficit slightly, but left their run too late to sniff the win.

The Mystics closed out the match with a 10-goal lead 68 – 58 and precious confidence heading into their final game of the regular season.