Reigning ANZ Premiership champions the MG Mystics have earned the right to defend their title with a 68 – 64 victory over the Trident Homes Tactix in the Elimination Final at Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch.

The Mystics will hit the road again next week when they go up against the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse in next week’s Grand Final on Sunday 4^th August at TSB Arena in Wellington.

It was an extra sweet victory for the Mystics who celebrated their captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson’s 100^th national league match during the sudden death match. It is Sokolich-Beatson’s ninth season and what will be her third Grand Final appearance in the blue dress.

Both teams had a fast-paced, yet composed start to the match, converting their own centre-passes into points early on.

Tactix goal-shooter Ellie Bird and goal-attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit showed great understanding in the circle, finding their way through the Mystics’ defence.

Both sides applied strong pressure through the centre third and over the ball, forcing each other to work the ball around in order to reach the circle edge.

Mystics goal-keeper Phoenix Karaka read the feed well, producing two intercepts in quick succession, helping to bring her side back to equal footing with the Tactix.

Just before quarter time Selby-Rickit responded with her own brilliance, scoring a jump-shot as she fell out of court to give the home crowd something to cheer about.

The score was tied 17-all heading into the second quarter, to set the scene for a hotly contested Elimination Final.

The Mystics opened the second phase with changes in the shooting circle with Filda Vui replacing Dani Binks at goal-attack and Catherine Hall coming on for Carys Stythe at goal-keeper and pushing Phoenix Karaka out to goal-defence.

Tactix centre Kimiora Poi showed great patience on the feed, waiting until Bird opened up a clear space under the post to deliver the ball. Bird responded to Karaka’s aerial defensive presence by taking the ball strongly mid-air and holding her space well. Despite this Karaka managed to come away with yet another intercept, showing great anticipation on the feed.

Mystics wing-defence Michaela Sokolich-Beatson was a menace in the Tactix shooting third, putting immense three-foot pressure over the ball and using her body well to shut down space around the circle edge. She was rewarded for her efforts with an outside-hand intercept to give her side the upper hand.

Vui proved a valuable addition in the Mystics’ attacking end, working her angles and connecting well with her feeders.

The score was level for most of the quarter, with both sides playing clean error-free netball, until late in the piece when the Mystics managed to pull away from the hosts by capitalising on some rare loose ball and a plucky intercept from Catherine Hall.

The Mystics led by two, 35 – 33 at half time.

There was a palpable rise in intensity in the third quarter with both sides sensing what was at stake.

The Mystics worked hard to turn the ball over with Karaka and Hall producing an intercept and a block respectively, however the Tactix responded in kind, denying the Mystics the chance to convert their opportunities into points.

Neither team looked to have the momentum until the final five minutes of the quarter when the Tactix went on a run, reclaiming the lead and pushing the advantage out to four goals – the biggest lead of the game.

The Mystics’ defensive duo of Karaka and Hall did well to contain Bird, forcing the Tactix to play the ball back to the centre and even defensive thirds in order to reset and find a way into their shooters.

With just 15 minutes left to play and it all on the line, the Tactix led by three 49 – 46.

It was anyone’s game in the final stanza with the lead changing hands several times leading into full-time.

The Mystics played with the experience expected of defending champions, maintaining calm heads under pressure and letting the ball go instinctively as they have all season.

Filda Vui demonstrated great netball smarts on the feed and was a steady and safe pair of hands on the shot finishing the match with 100% shooting accuracy.

The Tactix made some late changes, moving Paris Lokotui into goal-defence and Karin Burger into wing-defence. Lokotui brought a strong, physical pressure into the defensive end and Burger brought foot speed and a hunting eye to the centre third.

The Mystics followed suit, bringing Katie Te Ao on at centre for Tayla Earle. After just minutes on court, Te Ao picked up an intercept and made smart decisions on attack, showcasing great vision into her shooters.

The Mystics snatched the lead as the clock wound down and continued to play calm, safe netball to hold onto the advantage.

Ultimately time was not on the side of the hosts who slowly watched their season slip away, with the Mystics closing the match with a four-goal lead 68 – 64.