Mystics rally to win hosting rights for Grand Final

Forced to dig deep, the GoSweetSpot Mystics secured the Minor Premiership after posting a hard-fought 53-42 win over a gallant Avis Magic in Auckland on Saturday.

Completing a seven-match winning streak guaranteed the Mystics top spot and a week off before the right to host the 2026 Grand Final on June 27.

With both sides coming into the match with winning momentum, the result hung in the balance until the last quarter, the bottom of the table Magic giving the front-runners a real run for their money.

In the end, the Mystics experience won out, the home side needing all of their combined history and wisdom to keep a committed and energetic Magic challenge at arms-length through a particularly strong second half response where veteran defender Phoenix Karaka left a strong impression.

In a predictable line-up, the Mystics continued their recent trend of naming captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson to start at goal defence. The Magic were also settled in personnel but opted to tinker with their shooting combination, and starting with the tall figure of Kate Taylor at goal attack in tandem with Saviour Tui.

Showing the best of intent, the Magic started with a hiss and roar to forge an early lead before the Mystics flexed their collective muscle with a withering response.

With Sokolich-Beatson and Karaka providing the defensive squeeze, the Magic were forced to bring Sarah Guiney off the bench to provide extra movement, while at the attack end the home side quickly slid into another gear.

With five minutes remaining, the scores were all level at 7-apiece, the Mystics keeping their opponents scoreless for the remainder of the quarter for an 8-0 run while romping to a 15-7 lead at the first break.

The Magic provided a cracking response on the resumption, turning the tables with their own 5-0 scoring run and working their way back into the contest.

Wing defence Georgie Edgecombe did a terrific job of putting a dent in the threat imposed by Peta Toeava while the long wing spans of Oceane Maihi and Erena Mikaere caused all sorts of problems for the Mystics shooters.

That resulted in Sophia Lafaiali’I taking over from Maia Wilson under the Mystics hoop with the home side taking nearly five minutes to score their first goal of the stanza. The athletic and agile ability of Tui under the Magic hoop proved crucial as the visitors ate into the deficit.

The Mystics had more possession heading into the main break but Tui’s unblemished 18 from 18 had the visitors well in the race.

With Magic levelling the scores after 10 minutes, the Mystics fought back to reclaim a 23-22 lead at halftime but still with plenty of work to do after being kept to a single digit return during the quarter.

After a couple of lead changes to start the third stanza, the Mystics ground their way into a handy lead but never comfortable as the arm-wrestle continued.

With Lafaiali’I settling in well to provide a strong option under the Mystics hoop, in tandem with the unflappable and smart play of Filda Vui, and a big defensive showing, led by Karaka at the other end, the home side went out to a six-goal lead but the Magic were never out of the contest.

The visitors recovered from a patch of shooting wobbles, Guiney nailing a two-pointer to help them stay in reach but in the context of the game and what was at stake for the Mystics, were still facing a significant mountain to climb when trailing 39-34 at the last turn.