Michaela Sokolich-Beatson with the ball. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Analysis - The Magic will be kicking themselves for missing a golden opportunity to leapfrog the Pulse into third on the ANZ Premiership ladder.
The Magic threatened to pull off a come-back over the Mystics last night when shooter Saviour Tui nailed three super-shots in the final five minutes.
But the Mystics prevailed 40-38 over the Magic in Auckland to inch towards the top of the netball ladder.
The Tactix sit just above them, courtesy of a bonus point.
A Magic win would have seen them jump ahead of the Pulse, instead they sit just one point adrift in fourth, thanks to a bonus point for finishing within five of the Mystics.
It was a defence heavy game, which saw a high number of turnovers from both sides but the Magic were especially poor, coughing up a whopping 35 turnovers.
The fact that the Magic got that close to the Mystics will be a hard pill to swallow because they didn't play anywhere near their potential and could have easily taken the game.
Hopes were high for this franchise off the back of a promising 2024 season and the benefit of a settled line-up but the side had a very slow start to the season.
The Magic got into gear with wins in round four and five against the Stars.
Last night was a test to see if they could knock over a top three team but they were their own worst enemy at times with several passes going out the back or easily picked off by the Mystics defence end.
On the back of brilliant performances against the Pulse the round prior, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson started at goal defence and Sophia Lafaiali'i at goal shoot, who has stepped in for the injured Donnell Wallam.
The Mystics were not as strong in attack this week but their defensive strategy came off well.
In an extremely rare sight Magic goal attack Ameliaranne Ekenasio went to bench in the final quarter.
"I feel like other teams just kind of let her [Ameliaranne] be the third feeder and she's very very good at that so it was just my job to do what I would do at wing defence, which is try and stay on my player, put a three foot guard up really and just be on her," Sokolich-Beatson said.
Catherine Hall (left) of the Mystics and Saviour Tui of the Magic. Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz
Sokolich-Beatson, who usually plays at wing defence, said she expected Holly Rae, who had a week out with illness, would go back in there.
"I like playing with Cat [Catherine Hall] because I can just yell and tell her where to move and how to move and I feel like we connect quite well in there but I know I'm just here to serve a purpose and I probably won't stay here and that's okay."
Catherine Hall had another impressive performance, picking up the MVP honours.
"Cat can read the game really well, she's constantly moving and she's doing a really good job at moving her feet, keeping her eyes on the ball and then going up for the contest."
The Magic had the benefit of studying Lafaiali'i after her performance against the Pulse. The 20-year-old was still a great target for the Mystics putting up 26 goals in the 54 minutes she was on court.
Tui put up 23 goals but needed better ball delivery from her team-mates. Ekenasio shot seven goals from 10 attempts.
Mystics goal attack Filda Vui continued to show her prowess with the two-point shot, nailing three from four.
Vui has the most super shots of anyone in the competition by far with 22.
Uncharacteristic Pulse
Tiana Metuarau Photo: Photosport
The Pulse will have to regroup quickly to get their ANZ Premiership season back on track after suffering back to back losses.
After losing to the Mystics in round five, they went down to the Tactix 61-50 in Christchurch on Sunday.
It's the nature of the losses that have been surprising.
At one one point the normally solid as a rock Whitney Souness headed to the bench and Maddy Gordon switched to wing attack. Kelly Jackson and Parris Mason who normally have the best defensive record in the competition were quiet.
The Pulse chalked up 25 turnovers against the Tactix, which Pulse shooter Tiana Metuarau described as uncharacteristic.
But Metuarau is confident her side can turn things around.
"Definitely and we're heading back home for the next few weeks which is really exciting, we love playing in front of our fans and the atmosphere we have at home is one of a kind, so we're excited to play back at home," Metuarau said.
Pulse shooter Amelia Walmsley did all she could, putting up 44 goals at 100 percent.
"She's standing up every week, which is really cool and I'm enjoying playing with her and that's the main thing and I think our connection is really good and as long a I've got the ball I can always find her."
The Pulse will be home in Wellington for their next three fixtures, where they will meet the Steel, Tactix, and Stars.
They then travel to play the Magic in the final round of the regular season, which could well turn out to be a dogfight for the all important third spot on the ladder.
