Mystics captain Maria Tutaia has fired a trademark long shot on the stroke of full-time to salvage a 45-45 draw with the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Rotorua on Sunday.
The Mystics bench reacts after Tutaia's long-range shot earns the draw Photo: Photosport
In a repeat of their come-from-behind efforts against the Southern Steel last week, the youthful Magic held the upper hand until the last break, but let slip a golden opportunity to grab the two points with an anxious final quarter.
Leading by six, the Magic failed to respond to the Mystics' lift in intensity, became flustered and were forced into errors as they opened the door for the gleeful visitors to gain a share of the points.
Picking up from where she left off last week, Tutaia made an emphatic start, sinking shots from all over the circle as the visitors looked to make an early statement.
Silver Ferns team-mates Maria Tutaia (R) and Leana de Bruin go head to head Photo: Photosport
Impressing with their calmness and patience on attack, the talent-laden Mystics always looked threatening but the young Magic line-up refused to be over-awed by the pedigree of their opponents.
Veteran defender and captain Leana de Bruin warmed into her work, late turnovers helping the Magic forge a slim 13-12 lead at the first break.
Kayla Cullen took over from Coffin on the resumption as the Mystics made a useful start before a compelling few minutes from the home gave the Magic a handy buffer.
With neither team able to take the initiative, invariably hindered by careless errors at key moments, it was the Magic who made the decisive move. De Bruin was ably supported by rising young defender Kristiana Manu'a, who stepped up impressively to provide a number of turnover opportunities.
In the midcourt, Sinclair was in the thick of the action and more than holding her own against her more illustrious opponent Laura Langman while shooter Jo Harten was at her imperious best.
With their confidence growing, their attack end opening up and more scoring opportunities, Magic moved into overdrive with a sparkling streak of six unanswered goals which helped propel the home team into a well-crafted 28-21 lead at half-time.
Exciting prospect Nadia Loveday replaced Camilla Lees at centre for the Mystics in the second half as the match lifted a notch or two in a busy and frantic third stanza.
Both teams were loose at times, rushes of blood being a culprit as each employed a high risk brand of netball. Big defensive efforts were key to a flurry of turnovers by both teams but the Mystics played a strong hand in slowing the Magic's attacking flow.
A rolled ankle forced the accurate Mystics shooter Cathrine Latu from the court midway through an eventful stanza.
Cathrine Latu shot 100% and gave as much around the court Photo: Photosport
Her replacement, a highly composed Paula Griffin, was joined by defender Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick, who took over from Temalisi Fakahokotau.
Despite the big pressure the Magic faced in their attacking third, the cool head and growing impact of wing attack Grace Rasmussen helped the home team hold a 38-32 lead heading down the home straight.
