Mystics post first win to retain Hobbiton Cup

The GoSweetSpot Northern Mystics retained their grip on the silverware when winning a fifth successive Hobbiton Cup after dismantling Avis Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 57-37 in Tauranga on Saturday.

Staging the annual Hobbiton Cup contest between the pair in Tauranga for the first time wasn’t enough to deliver a change in fortunes for the Magic who lost all four quarters against an experienced Mystics side, who responded to every challenge thrown at them.

Still missing injured midcourt duo Tayla Earle and Katie Te Ao, the Mystics were too efficient across all areas for the Magic who lacked consistent accuracy throughout as both teams chased their first win of the season.

Up by 10 at three-quarter time, the Mystics put a strong marker in the ground when completing a 17-7 final quarter while introducing a variety of personnel and combinations throughout the match.

Showing their scoring prowess, the Mystics shooting trio of Maia Wilson, Filda Vui and Sophia Lafaiali’I missed just five shots between them while the Magic struggled for the same accuracy and volume.

Completing a frustrating outing for the Magic, defender Oceane Maihi was sidelined for the final two minutes of the match for unsafe play.

In scoring the first three goals, the Magic couldn’t have asked for a better start. Finding their shooters with ease and doing well defensively to hold up the Mystics ability to play at pace on attack, the home side, however, soon found themselves under pressure.

Visiting defenders Catherine Hall and Phoenix Karaka found their groove to put the pressure on the Magic’s young shooting duo of Kate Taylor and Saviour Tui while the collective Mystics defensive unit squeezed the home side for attacking options.

Putting their foot down, the Mystics closed the quarter strongly to forge a healthy 16-10 first quarter lead.

Both teams made multiple personnel and positional changes during the second stanza, the Magic trying to resurrect their fortunes and the Mystics, able to showcase their depth of talent.

The Magic continued to struggle at the attack end where their shooters looked out of sync and in the process, leaving a tough job for their feeders to connect. At the other end, defender Maihi was delivering a wholehearted performance to grab much-needed turnover ball.

But the Magic remained on the backfoot, overshadowed by the more experienced Mystics where Hall, who had 13 gains and three intercepts for the match, continued to leave her mark while mercurial midcourter Peta Toeava, showed her vision and awareness to ensure the visitors controlled the momentum while holding sway on attack.

Dominating the possession, as the Magic committed 14 turnovers during the first half, it was the Mystics who controlled proceedings when taking a 28-19 lead into the main break.

The Magic shooting duo found much better balance to start the third quarter in promising fashion, where Tui’s aerial skills were prominent. At the other end, Georgie Edgecombe, Maihi and Erena Mikaere gained a good share of turnover ball, a Tui two-pointer reducing the margin to just four.

From there, however, it all unravelled through a mixture of unforced errors and shooting yips, the Magic failing to make the most of their numerous opportunities. Finishing with a powerful burst while scoring eight goals on the trot, the Mystics knocked the wind out of their opponents’ challenge while retaining a healthy 40-30 lead at the last break.