The MG Mystics have booked their place in the ANZ Premiership elimination final next weekend with a nerve-wracking 63 – 55 victory over Super City rivals the Stars in the final game of the regular season at Pulman Arena in Takanini.

In winning, the Mystics have denied fellow contenders the AVIS Magic a shot at the title, whilst also retaining the Barfoot & Thompson Northern Challenge trophy for another season.

The opening minutes of the first quarter were riddled with turnovers as both sides came out hunting for opportunities. Stars goal-keeper Kate Burley proved her class coming away with an impressive rebound over Grace Nweke and an intercept early on.

In the opposite end, the Mystics’ defensive duo of Carys Stythe and Phoenix Karaka would not be outdone, putting in a tonne of work to produce three intercepts between them. Phoenix Karaka made an outstanding block showcasing exquisite timing to deny Monica Falkner a long-range goal and gift the Mystics a leg up.

As the quarter wore on the Mystics began to pick up speed, scoring eight goals in a row and keeping the Stars at nil for a remarkable four and a half minutes leading into quarter-time.

The Mystics opened the second quarter with an eight goal lead up 17 – 9.

The Stars came back with a vengeance in the second quarter, scoring seven in a row to bring the lead back within reach. Their fluidity through court was a marked improvement on the first quarter and the Stars feeders did well to find the circle edge and let the ball go into their shooters.

Stars goal-attack Amorangi Malesala ensured no opportunities were squandered, nailing her shots from long range and helping her side to stay within striking distance of the Mystics.

Mystics goal-keeper Phoenix Karaka continued to apply strong pressure in the Stars’ shooting circle, producing yet another intercept early in the quarter, however Malesala’s accuracy from a distance meant the Stars were spoilt for feeding options.

Stars goal-keeper Kate Burley continued to disrupt the feed into Nweke, chasing down ball and contesting every pass into the shooting circle with her impressive vertical leap.

The Stars were rewarded for their efforts, winning the second quarter and clawing the deficit back to just three at 31 – 28 heading into half time.

Catherine Hall made her entry into the game at goal-keeper for the Mystics in the third quarter and took no time at all to claim her first intercept. Her rangy three-foot guard put doubt into the mind of Stars goal-shooter Maia Wilson and forced the Stars to play the ball around in order to find a clean shot under the post.

The Mystics looked to lose their flow on attack in the third quarter, showing uncharacteristic hesitancy on the pass and struggling to find a clear pathway through court. The Stars continued to threaten for the lead throughout the quarter, before the Mystics finally found their form in the later stages managing to pull five points clear at 47 – 42 heading into the final stanza.

With it all to play for, the Mystics returned in the fourth quarter with a greater sense of urgency and seemed to rediscover their signature speed down court.

Catherine Hall had another great performance in the last 15 minutes, producing three tips which she chased down to regain possession for the Mystics.

Burley continued to be a menace on defence, coming from nowhere to snatch a wonder intercept off Nweke much to the delight of her home crowd.

Mystics goal-attack Filda Vui was a calm and steady presence in the shooting circle, rounding out the match with 100% shooting accuracy, scoring nine from nine, many of which were from long-range. Vui and Nweke showed great understanding in the circle, feeding each other well and creating space for one another under the post.

The Mystics weathered immense pressure from the Stars to close out the match with an eight-goal advantage at 63 – 55.