Commentator’s Call: the race is on!

In this week’s Commentator’s Call, SKY Sport’s Jenny Woods ponders the scenarios: ‘the Mystics hadn’t beaten the Pulse - and then they did, the Pulse hadn’t beaten the Magic - and then they did, the Magic haven’t beaten the Mystics - and then they … we’ll have to wait and see!’

Three teams remain in the running to join the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in the Finals Series, and they have just three games to gather the points to get them over the line.

As has looked probable for a number of rounds, it’s all on between the WBOP Magic, the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse and the SKYCTIY Mystics in the race to be part of the Elimination Final.Smart money is on the Pulse and the Mystics, even though it’s the Magic sitting in second place on the ladder as we head in to Round 12.

They were well off the pace in their game against the Pulse last round, hitting a Central side well aware that without a win in Palmerston North, their fate would be out of their own control.Magic skipper Casey Kopua was visibly furious after the game, no doubt well aware of what lies ahead.

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The Magic has the steepest mountain to climb in Round 12. They have a Super Sunday clash with the Steel, followed the next night by a date with the Mystics.The Magic have beaten neither side this year, although have picked up bonus points in close losses.What they do have in their favour, is goal percentage, and that could be critical if things are tight at the end of Round 13.

Their Steel clash is the first on Sunday in Auckland, followed by the Mystics against the Northern Stars, then the Pulse against the Silvermoon Tactix.

The ripples of Round 11 will be evident at The Trusts Arena.The Steel got the fright of their lives from the Mystics in Dunedin on Wednesday night in what has to be the game of the season.The Magic may feel the brunt of that.

Much will be at play when the Mystics take on the Stars.The Mystics were stung 59-53 when these two last met, in a game which sparked a revival from the Stars. At the same time, the South Auckland-based team will have dented pride having become the only team to succumb to the Tactix in this competition.Captain Leana de Bruin, who was badly missed in that encounter, is hopeful of being involved against the Mystics, stiffening the Stars’ spine.But the Mystics appear to have finally found form, with a clear goal in front of them.

The same can be said for the Pulse who were far too good for the Magic in Round 11.Expect them to show no mercy against the Tactix.

Most interest for many will be in Monday night’s game between the Magic and the Mystics. Critical to the chances of both sides, it would appear the Magic have the most to lose.The northerners have had a more settled line-up in recent weeks, and it’s paying dividends. But sport’s a funny thing .. the Mystics hadn’t beaten the Pulse - and then they did, the Pulse hadn’t beaten the Magic - and then they did, the Magic haven’t beaten the Mystics - and then they … we’ll have to wait and see.

There are two games on Wednesday night … the Tactix host the Steel in Christchurch and the Pulse are at home in Porirua to the Stars.Expect those games to go on form.

As for the longer view … at the moment, it’s looking like an Elimination Final between the Pulse and the Mystics.

Can’t make it to Super Sunday? Fans can catch all the action live on SKY Sport 1 from 2pm; international fans (outside NZ) can watch all the action on the ANZ Premiership Facebook page.