The Northern Mystics have booked their place in the netball premiership grand final, claiming the minor premiership on the back of a 56-54 win over the Pulse in Wellington.
Mystics shooter Bailey Mes (right) and Pulse defender Maddie Gordon Photo: Photosport
But they needed to hold out a fast-finishing Pulse side which turned around a 12-goal deficit and almost forced the match into extra time.
A convincing first-quarter effort and greater accuracy in the shooting circle set the Mystics up for the win, giving them a 19-12 lead at the first break.
But from there, the match was evenly contested as the Pulse successfully applied their own pressure on defence.
Midcourter Peta Toeava's ability to find shooter Grace Nweke quickly and cleanly meant the towering 19-year-old netted all but one of the Mystics first half goals as they took a 33-26 lead into the main break.
The Mystics jumped out to a 12-goal lead in the third quarter, threatening to take control of the match, but the Pulse remained in touch to trail 41-48 at the final break.
The accuracy in the Mystics' attacking delivery started to falter in the last quarter, giving the Pulse was given a sniff of a chance as they closed the gap to two goals only for time to run out on the clock.
In Sunday's early game, the Tactix kept their play-off hopes alive after a heart-stopping 49-47 victory over the Magic in Rotorua.
The Tactix battled all the way in a must-win match, coming from behind to grab three precious points and hold on to second place on the ladder.
But they needed a turnover from wing defence Charlotte Elley in the last 20 seconds of play to stop the game from going into extra time.
The Magic combined a spoiling defensive display with accuracy on attack, Magic captain Sam Winders leading from the front in providing a vital link through the middle.
But the Tactix, with their play-off hopes on the line, fought hard to the final whistle having to come from two goals down in the fourth quarter to snatch the win.
It wasn't easy, as the Magic took a 14-12 lead into the first break
Tactix coach Marianne Delaney-Hoshek intorduced Erikana Pedersen at wing attack in the second quarter, and
Pedersen's decision making up front - knowing when to play the short game, sighting the options in the shooting circle and connections with goal attack Te Paea Selby-Rickit - paid dividends.
The visitors grabbed a slender 26-24 lead at the main break, only for the Magic to steal it back and hit the front 39-37 at the three-quarter mark.
