Steel improve their top three finals prospects with important away win over the Mystics

The Southern Steel ruined Bailey Mes 100th national league game celebrations with a memorable away win over the Mystics.
Led by standout displays from captain Shannon Saunders and English goal shoot George Fisher, the Steel boosted their top three finals hopes with a 63-58 win in Auckland on Sunday.
The Steel would have been thrilled with their performance after a sub-par 60-50 loss at their Stadium Southland fortress to the resurgent Tactix on Monday.
In contrast, the Mystics, who came into the clash second on the table, would have been determined to earn a win in Silver Ferns’ veteran Mes 100th national league game, but it didnt happen. Defender Kate Burley was also playing her 50th national league game.
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Mes, who has spent the bulk of her career at the Mystics, debuting in 2011, also played 26 games for the Tactix.
The Mystics would have been bitterly disappointed by their performance, conceding 63 goals, which is going to make it tough to win games, even with their high-scoring side.
Shane Wenzlick/Photosport
Mystics’ wing attack Peta Toeava looks to fire off a pass against the Steel.
They were guilty of making too many turnovers, especially in the attacking third, trying to get ball into goal shoot Grace Nweke.
The Mystics only converted 80 per cent of their attempts too (58/72), in comparison to the Steel, who slotted 63 of their 71 opportunities. It doesnt get any easier with an all-Auckland derby against the top of the table Stars next Sunday.
Saunders, goal attack Tiana Metuarau, and centre Renee Savai’inaea all had strong attacking games, firing some excellent ball into Fisher, who converted 47 from 52. Metuarau was a reliable foil to Fisher again, landing 16/19.
This clash had the makings of a high scoring one with both goal shoots, Nweke (Mystics) and Fisher (Steel) entering the round as the most prolific shooters in the competition.
Shane Wenzlick/Photosport
Mystics’ centre Claire O’Brien assesses her options against the Steel on Sunday.
The hosts headed into halftime down by six (32-26) with Fisher getting the better of Ferns goal keep Sulu Fitzpatrick in the first half, racking up 25 goals from 27 attempts.
The Mystics made a flying start, scoring the first three goals, but the Steel began to find their cohesion on attack, also picking up turnover ball.
After making a slow beginning, the Steel had the upper hand for most of the first quarter with Saunders and Metuarau sending crisp feeds through to Fisher.
Fisher landed 12 of her 14 attempts in the first quarter as the Steel rocketed out to a 17-11 advantage.
The Steel pushed their lead to 23-15 early in the second quarter with the southerners playing some slick netball on both attack and defence.
After a sloppy start to the game, the Mystics finally woke up and finished the first half with confidence, scoring several quick goals.
Steel coach Reinga Bloxham opted to start Kate Heffernan at wing defence, rather than centre, where she has mainly been used this season.
Heffernan’s 1.81m height advantage was an asset against Mystics wing attack Peta Toeva, who stands just 1.61m, but is a quick player and a superb feeder into Nweke.
It had an immediate effect with the Mystics making eight first quarter turnovers, five which came from Toeava.
The Mystics made several mini-runs at the Steel in the third quarter, but couldnt put enough of a dent into their lead.
They trailed by seven goals (50-43) leading into the final 15 minutes, leaving them with a tall task to overcome.
Two quick goals to open the fourth term gave the Mystics a flicker of hope. The Steel kept their composure to cement a deserved win though.
AT A GLANCE:
Steel 63 (George Fisher: 47/52, Tiana Metuarau: 16/19) Mystics 58 (Grace Nweke: 52/61, Bailey Mes: 6/9, Filda Vui: 0/2) 1Q: 17-11, HT: 32-26, 3Q: 50-43.
Stuff MVP points: Shannon Saunders 3, Taneisha Fifita 2, George Fisher 1.