Another second half meltdown has cost the Northern Mystics their first win of netball's ANZ Championship, as they drew 52-all with the Central Pulse in Wellington last night.
Another second half meltdown has cost the Northern Mystics their first win of netball's ANZ Championship, as they drew 52-all with the Central Pulse in Wellington last night.
As they have done in their previous losses to the Southern Steel and the Perth based West Coast Fever the Mystics squandered a good lead.
Maria Tutaia (right) and Jacinta Messer battle for possession. Photo: Photosport
The Mystics led 14-10 at the end of the first quarter and extended that to nine at one stage in the second quarter.
However a seven goal run by the Pulse brought them back into the match to level the scores at 22-all.
At halftime time the Mystics were up by one 27-26.
Up 40-37 in the final quarter the Mystics brought Holly Fowler on at goal defence to give their defence some impetus in the final quarter.
The game almost came to a standstill in the dying minutes, as both sides struggled to make headway through the defensive walls.
At Katrina Grant intercept led to a goal for the home side to put them up 52-51 with time all but up, when Maria Tutaia calmly slotted a penalty in the final second for the Mystics to level the match.
The Mystics goal shoot Cathrine Tuivaiti, who shot 29 goals from 30 attempts, said her side was suffering from a lack of mental fitness.
"When push comes to shove, we don't know what to do."
