Strong finish secures clean sweep for Mystics Men

A strong Mystics Men outfit have recorded a clean sweep this year, with a 60-54 win over the Stars Men in their final game.

A horror third quarter for the Stars Men denied them their chance of a consolation win in the three-match series, despite a much-improved first half.

There was only pride to play for in the third and final match, with the Mystics already claiming the Te Taonga Manu Taki trophy with two solid wins earlier in the series.

Leading by two at half time, the Stars looked ready to challenge the defending champs and take a hard-fought win. 

But when Stars midcourter Tanekohurangi Apaapa went down heavily, knocking his knee hard, he was carried off by teammates and rivals alike.

From that point on, the Stars struggled, letting the Mystics go on a seven-goal unanswered streak and losing their lead and ultimately the match.

It was a typically physical and aerial battle, with the flair and sometimes cheek of mens’ netball on display again.

With another new starting line up, the Stars showed their fight from the opening whistle. They had plenty of opportunities early, with Mason Kouka-Smith impressing on debut at goal defence.

While Mystics goal defence Oceon Grady wasn’t letting any ball go in unchallenged, disrupting ball in the Stars’ attacking third, the Stars’ patience showed as they held onto their possession.

The Stars were content to settle for one-point shots in the first quarter, just shooting one Summerset Super Shot. A late run in the first quarter gave the Stars a 17-13 lead, which they continued to push into the second quarter.

With circle defenders Te Manawapa Moorehead and Lucas Cook shutting down normally dominant Mystics goal shoot Mikaira Raerino, the Stars continued to stretch their lead. They looked after their turnover ball well, and pushed out to a seven goal lead early in the second quarter.

Tyrah Lauagiagi showed her experience in the midcourt for the Stars, adept on both attack and defence. But in the third quarter, a messy start from the Stars gave the Mystics an opportunity to grab the ball and go.

When the Mystics found their flow, their quick hands on attack made it difficult for the Stars defenders to interrupt. Unafraid of a long feed into Raerino, the largely unchanged Mystics attacking end weren’t losing any steam as the game went on.

A 17-7 third quarter in favour of the men in blue gave them an eight-goal lead with one quarter to go, but with the two-point shot available, the Stars pushed until the final whistle, just falling short again. 

Kruze Tangira MVP as player of the series - Oceon Grady