The bottom of the table Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel have upset the MG Mystics with a 47 – 43 win to take home the Georgina Salter Memorial Trophy in round 7 of the ANZ Premiership at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin.

Both sides got off to a halting start with neither managing to convert their opportunities in the first five minutes.

The Steel’s midcourt zone stifled the Mystics’ usual attacking flow down court and produced good turnover ball for them early on.

At the opposite end Mystics goal keeper Carys Stythe came out firing, putting pressure on the Steel’s shooters with a great three foot guard and using her timing and elevation to get two intercepts, two rebounds and a tip in the first quarter alone.

The Mystics’ superior shooting percentage helped them to a narrow lead, scoring 11 goals to the Steel’s 10 heading into the second quarter.

The start of the second quarter looked to fall into the Mystics’ favour with Phoenix Karaka and Carys Stythe combining well to shut down the Steel’s shooters and produce more turnover ball, but it wasn’t long until the Steel found a way through.

Steel centre Kate Heffernan was influential for her side, launching some beautiful feeds into her shooters and finding good space in her shooting third.

The Mystics let some uncharacteristic errors creep in, with several passes missing their target as the Steel upped the ante on the defence.

The Steel’s shooters seemed to find their rhythm heading into half-time, capitalising on their turnover ball and closing out the quarter with a three-point advantage 23 – 20.

The third quarter has plagued the Mystics so far throughout the season and this proved to be no different. Steel goal defence Abby Lawson was a menace in the shooting end, chasing down intercepts and taking advantage of loose ball from the Mystics’ wayward passes.

Sustained pressure through the midcourt continued to frustrate the Mystics who struggled to bring the ball through court smoothly and provide options on attack.

The Steel played smart netball, looking after their possession and showing great patience on attack.

Mystics head coach Tia Winikerei looked for answers from her substitute bench, bringing Katie Te Ao on at centre for Tayla Earle and Catherine Hall on at goal keeper for Phoenix Karaka.

The changes had little impact on the score-line with the Steel heading into the final stanza up by five points 35 – 30.

A last gasp effort from the Mystics saw them claw back the deficit with a four-goal run to bring the margin to within three points at one stage. However the Steel did not take their foot off the gas, determined to get another win under their belts.

The Mystics were hesitant on attack and failed to provide enough options in the shooting third, giving the Steel’s defence the upper hand.

The Steel held on to earn their second win 47 – 43, in turn handing the Mystics their third loss of the season.