ID :
180703
Sun, 05/08/2011 - 14:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/180703
The shortlink copeid
Mystics shock Swifts in netball finals
Gutted and grumpy, the NSW Swifts lamented missed opportunities after suffering their first-ever loss to the Northern Mystics in the trans-Tasman netball minor semi-final.
The hosts went down 49-44 to the Auckland-based Mystics before a near-capacity Mother's Day crowd at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre.
And both captain Catherine Cox and coach Julie Fitzgerald were upset over a below-par performance as the realisation dawned of another season slipped away for the pre-season favourites.
"They simply wanted it more than us," declared a 'cranky' Cox, who scored a game-high 36 goals but at only a 78 per cent success rate.
"We started the game well but were just not good enough. We should have won that game, but we just threw it away.
"That loss particularly stings because we had enough ball to win the game. It is a demoralising way to finish the season."
Fitzgerald was "absolutely gutted" over her team's back door exit from the finals.
"We were not patient enough, we gave over too many turnovers and that has happened a number of times this season," Fitzgerald said.
"We made a number of crucial errors. We should have done much better."
It was a first-ever finals game for the Mystics who had lost all five previous clashes with the Swifts.
They next meet the loser of Monday night's major semi-final between the unbeaten Queensland Firebirds and Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic for a spot in the ANZ Championship grand final.
A sublime shooting performance from Catherine Latu, who scored 27 points and landed 100 per cent of her shots at goal until well into the final quarter, and a determined effort in defence particularly in the mid-court paved the way for the Mystics' win.
The visitors led 15-11 at quarter-time and extended their lead to 28-20 at the main break.
The Swifts finally enjoyed a period of sustained dominance in the third quarter but late points to the Mystics held their lead at 38-31 with a quarter to go and the visitors were composed in closing out the win.
Mystics coach Debbie Fuller lauded her side's teamwork.
"We like to play that tricky smart arse style of netball but I asked them to put that away today in the interests of the team and they did that, and look at the result," Fuller said.
"I couldn't be happier with the girls. It was our first finals appearance and we really played well. We played like we deserve to be here. It was a big team effort. We showed a lot of patience, held the ball and it paid off. Now we just can't wait for the next match."
The hosts went down 49-44 to the Auckland-based Mystics before a near-capacity Mother's Day crowd at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre.
And both captain Catherine Cox and coach Julie Fitzgerald were upset over a below-par performance as the realisation dawned of another season slipped away for the pre-season favourites.
"They simply wanted it more than us," declared a 'cranky' Cox, who scored a game-high 36 goals but at only a 78 per cent success rate.
"We started the game well but were just not good enough. We should have won that game, but we just threw it away.
"That loss particularly stings because we had enough ball to win the game. It is a demoralising way to finish the season."
Fitzgerald was "absolutely gutted" over her team's back door exit from the finals.
"We were not patient enough, we gave over too many turnovers and that has happened a number of times this season," Fitzgerald said.
"We made a number of crucial errors. We should have done much better."
It was a first-ever finals game for the Mystics who had lost all five previous clashes with the Swifts.
They next meet the loser of Monday night's major semi-final between the unbeaten Queensland Firebirds and Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic for a spot in the ANZ Championship grand final.
A sublime shooting performance from Catherine Latu, who scored 27 points and landed 100 per cent of her shots at goal until well into the final quarter, and a determined effort in defence particularly in the mid-court paved the way for the Mystics' win.
The visitors led 15-11 at quarter-time and extended their lead to 28-20 at the main break.
The Swifts finally enjoyed a period of sustained dominance in the third quarter but late points to the Mystics held their lead at 38-31 with a quarter to go and the visitors were composed in closing out the win.
Mystics coach Debbie Fuller lauded her side's teamwork.
"We like to play that tricky smart arse style of netball but I asked them to put that away today in the interests of the team and they did that, and look at the result," Fuller said.
"I couldn't be happier with the girls. It was our first finals appearance and we really played well. We played like we deserve to be here. It was a big team effort. We showed a lot of patience, held the ball and it paid off. Now we just can't wait for the next match."
