Hoping for a happy end to dream run

It will be a dream come true for Northland's Jess Moulds if in her debut season with the LG Northern Mystics they win New Zealand's first ANZ Championship.
After downing the highly acclaimed New South Wales Swifts 44-49 last Sunday, the Mystics spent the past week preparing for the first all-New Zealand preliminary final against close rivals First Windows Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, tomorrow in Hamilton. The stakes are high with a grand final berth at stake - the winner of tomorrow's clash will play the unbeaten Queensland Firebirds at Brisbane Convention Centre on May 22.
Moulds, a 21-year-old from Ararua, moved to Auckland after studying dietetics at Otago University at the start of the year, to continue her studies and sign with the Mystics franchise in her first stint with an ANZ Championship side. It turned out to be a good year to join the Mystics, who after three seasons of trying have progressed to the finals - the talent-filled outfit finally playing to their potential.
Moulds made her debut for the Mystics in their round four win over the Melbourne Vixens. Although she had a fair bit of game time during earlier rounds, the goal keep/goal defence said her time on the court decreased when coach Debbie Fuller firmed up a regular starting seven as finals approached. She has not ruled out getting court time in tomorrow's do or die clash however.
"It's hard to say whether you will get game time - but you never know," Moulds said.
The Mystics are anticipating a close game the Magic side, who will give it their all, especially heading into the game on the back of a 50-39 loss to the Queensland Firebirds last Monday.
"The Magic are coming in off a loss and they're a good side who definitely won't want to end their season like that ... they will come out firing," Moulds said.
Tomorrow's clash should be evenly matched as each side won a game a piece during round robin play.
"The intensity has definitely gone up, but there is a really good vibe in the team. Before we went into the the game against the Swifts, we were really focussed. The desire and passion to win was there when we went out onto the court and we did what we practiced. The preliminary final is another step up again but we are ready for it,"she said.
The Mystics have been working on maintaining a high rate of possession as well as making good connections in the defensive circle ahead of their match against a gutsy, and at times, polished Magic side. Whatever tomorrow's outcome, Moulds said her first season with the Mystics has been a great learning experience. Following the conclusion of the ANZ Championship season, Moulds will switch her focus back to her studies, playing club netball with the North Shore Rovers, and later this year, playing National Provincial Competition netball with the North team. Tomorrow's Mystics/Magic clash is at Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton starts at 6.20pm.