Nweke inspires Mystics to maiden title

The Northern Mystics have won the national netball premiership title for the first time.

They have beaten the Mainland Tactix 61-59 in an absorbing grand final in Auckland.

Young shooter Grace Nweke was the difference between the two sides.

The 19-year-old scored all but three of the Mystics’ goals and only missed four of her 62 attempts despite coming up against Silver Ferns defenders Jane Watson and Karin Burger.

“I know what I’m capable of and being able to practice my game week-in, week-out against capable defenders is really helpful so I feel good knowing that I can hold my own against international defenders,” Nweke told Sky Sport.

It was another timely performance with the Silver Ferns squad announced on Tuesday.

“I’m hopeful. I obviously was in the development squad this season so I’m hopefully looking forward to a re-selection but we’ll see what happens,” Nweke said.

The Tactix created eight more shots than the Mystics but weren’t as accurate, shooting at under 80 per cent.

It is the second straight year the Tactix have finished runners-up.

Grace Nweke celebrates with Bailey Mes.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport Ltd 2021

Burger told Sky Sport she was “really proud” of her team despite the defeat.

“I think that’s the closest we’ve come to our perfect game,” she said.

“We tried to hold on to ball as much as we could and we tried our very best getting ball on D.

“I think that’s the most ball we’ve probably gotten off them so pretty proud of our defensive end and our attacking end for pushing through that pressured moments.”

Nweke was a perfect 15/15 in the first quarter to give the Mystics a 17-14 advantage.

Burger and Watson picked up an intercept each to try and keep the Tactix in touch.

The Mystics extended their advantage to five goals at halftime with Nweke scoring a further 15 goals.

Grace Nweke at full stretch to take a pass despite the best efforts of Tactix defender Karin Burger
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport Ltd 2021

Silver Ferns goal attack Bailey Mes replaced Filda Vui midway through the second period when the Mystics led by two.

The Tactix had seven more shots in the quarter but only landed 14 of their 21 attempts.

The mainlanders made their move in the third quarter, outscoring the Mystics 18-13 to cut the deficit to two goals.

Erikana Pedersen made an impact at wing attack after replacing Samon Nathan at halftime.

The Mystics managed to keep the Tactix at bay in the final quarter and always led by at least two goals.

They even overcame the absence of influential wing attack Elisapeta Toeava for four and a half minutes in the deciding period.