MYSTICS TOO STRONG FOR PULSE

Slick finishing from shooters Cathrine Latu and Maria Tutaia propelled the Northern Mystics to a comfortable 61-50 over the Central Pulse in ANZ Championship action in Wellington today.

Latu and Tutaia sparkled in their general play and accuracy to help the Mystics to a perfect two wins from two start to the season but it took them until the final quarter to gain full control.

The Pulse fought gamely for much of the match but were undone by too many errors and an inconsistent shooting effort.

The Pulse came out strongly after a week of soul-searching following their disappointing capitulation in the first round to dominate much of the opening stanza.

The home team showed real purpose and intensity but failed to capitalise by coughing up too much turnover ball.

Veteran Mystics centre Temepara George and her opposite, the up-and-coming Camilla Lees, had a terrific battle throughout while Pulse shooters Paula Griffin and Jane Altschwager were a much-improved combination.

Respective goalkeepers Ama Agbeze (Pulse) and Althea Byfield were prominent on the intercept front as they both hauled in a number of steals on the back of a rash of turnover ball.

The Pulse undid much of their good work by allowing the Mystics a strong finishing burst to draw level 13-all at the first break.

The rollercoaster nature continued into the second quarter after a strong start by the visitors was stymied by the Pulse. Asserting some dominance, the Mystics shot out to a five-goal lead and looked set to run away with the game before the Pulse turned their fortunes with more patient build-ups and better finishing.

The Pulse had plenty of ball and more shots at goal by the halfway point but could not take complete control as less than accurate shooting and too many unforced errors kept them battling.

Latu continued her early season form with a strong display under the hoop while Agbeze and Griffin were prominent for the Pulse.

Reeling in the deficit to tie the match up again, the Pulse were again guilty of letting the Mystics grab the initiative to take a 26-24 lead into halftime.

A similar pattern threaded its way through the third quarter as the Mystics made a storming start. With the experienced Jenny-May Coffin replacing Grace Rasmussen, the Mystics attacking line provided precision ball to Latu and Tutaia as they extended their lead to six.

For the Pulse, Te Amo Amaru-Tibble took over at goalshoot from Altschwager to make a strong impression.

Little bursts from both teams kept the game exciting but it was Tutaia and Latu who left their mark most prominently as the Mystics went to the last break 41-37 ahead.

Scoring the first five goals at the start of the final quarter, the Mystics poured on the pressure, stretching out to a comfortable buffer and effectively snuffing out any chances of a Pulse comeback.