Northern Mystics wing defence Joeline Henry says her side were victims of their own inability to control the ball in their 57-44 defeat by Queensland Firebirds in the grand final of the trans-Tasman netball championship in Brisbane.
The Firebirds completed the perfect season and created history by becoming the first team to win the competition undefeated.
The Mystics were looking for New Zealand's first title in the competition.
The team trailed by just two at half time, however the home side took control from then with star shooter Romelda Aitken finishing off some great midcourt work by the Firebirds.
Joeline Henry says the game was lost in the third quarter when the Mystics were outscored 18-8 by the Firebirds, as Jamaican shooting star Aitken took control.
The Firebirds are the fourth Australian team to claim the title in the four-year history of the competition, following in the footsteps of the NSW Swifts, Melbourne Vixens and Adelaide Thunderbirds.
