Netball's grand final hosting rights on the line

RNZ News

6 hours ago

Ellie Bird controls the ball for the Tactix under challenge from Georgia Tong of the Magic during the ANZ Premiership netball match in Christchurch, 7 July 2025.
Photo:
© Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
The Mystics and Tactix will vie this weekend for the right to host the ANZ Premiership netball grand final.
The Tactix beat the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 68-57 on Monday night, leaving them trailing the Northern Mystics by two points at the head of the ladder.
The Mystics and Tactix will clash in Auckland on Sunday in a final round match, with the winner going through to the grand final.
The loser will play either the Central Pulse or Southern Steel in the elimination final.
The Pulse have a two point edge over the Steel for third place and can confirm a place in the elimination final if they beat the Magic on Saturday.
But if they lose, the Steel get their chance to clinch that berth when they play the Stars on Monday.
The Mystics, Tactix and Pulse all won their games in the latest round, with the Tactix protecting their unbeaten home run for the season with their victory over the Magic.
It was a commanding 22-12 second quarter performance that set the Tactix up for the win. The Magic rallied strongly in the third quarter, but the experienced heads in the Tactix ensured the lead would not be relinquished.
Magic captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio brilliantly nailed six from eight super shots but her side will rue their inability to match it with the Tactix in that second quarter.
Ellie Bird landed 55 from her 60 attempts, backed up by goal attack Te Paea Selby Rickit with 13 from 15, while Saviour Tui shot 28 from 31, plus one of out two on the super shot, while Ekenasio shot from 15 from 16, plus her six super shots.
Tayla Earle in action for the Mystics against the Steel.
Photo:
Photosport
Filda Vui's expertise on the super shot came in very handily for the Mystics as they withstood a final quarter charge from the Steel to win 56-52 in Auckland on Saturday.
The Steel were three points down after three quarters but with five minutes left to play they led by one goal.
The Mystics held their nerve better and with Vui calmly slotting the two super shots they repelled the challenge from the Steel, who got a bonus point for their efforts.
Donnell Wallam shot 45 from 49 for the Mystics while Vui had five from six on the one pointers and three from four on the two pointers.
Aliyah Dunn was accuracy personified for the Steel, with 38 from 38 on the one pointers and landing one of her two super shots.
The Pulse were down on player power, with Whitney Souness ruled out with concussion and Fa'amu Ioane both out ill, but they proved too strong for the Stars, with a 65-44 victory.
Goal attack Amorangi Malesala landed a super shot on the buzzer to give the Pulse a 17-11 lead after the first quarter, but the Stars fought back gamely in the second quarter, and were still in the game at three-quarter time, but the Pulse powered home in the last stanza, winning it 22-7.
Amelia Walmsley shot 46 from 49 for the Pulse, ably backed up by Malesala with nine from 10 on the one pointers and three from seven on the two pointers.
Maia Wilson landed 35 from 39, while Crystal Maro shot five from seven.
Pulse defender Parris Mason had a heavy fall and left the court in a wheelchair. The Pulse said on Monday initial scans were promising, but couldn't yet say when she will return to play.
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