NETBALL - Mystics need a little magic to survive torrid tussle

The Northern Mystics will be trying hard to conjure up some sorcery of their own when they face Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in Monday's ANZ Championship match at Rotorua.
It has been a less-than-magical campaign for the Northern outfit, who head into round seven with only two wins to their name, leaving them eighth on the table.
The Magic have won five from six games and lead the stakes with the Melbourne Vixens.
There were high hopes for the Te Aroha Keenan-coached side this year, which finished seventh in last year's inaugural championship.
Mystics' goal defence Stephanie Bond said it had been tough up to the halfway mark of the season this weekend, and it was hard to keep the team's hopes alive with only two wins - both of which were over the Central Pulse.
However, the team's attitude remained positive and upbeat.
"What has been kind of promising is from our first game to this game, there has been improvements which has kept the morale high in the team," she said.
Last Monday, the Mystics were tested by the Southern Steel in a game Mystics captain Temepara George described as very hard. The Steel were on the rampage after a bye and a walloping by the Vixens in round four, and played like a team with much to prove - defeating the Mystics 61-52.
Despite a sluggish start, the Mystics found their momentum in the third quarter and clawed their way back to a three-point deficit with 15 minutes remaining.
Starting well and working more efficiently under pressure were areas the Mystics needed to improve, and they had worked hard on those at training during the week, Bond said.
Bond and Rachel Rasmussen were defensive standouts last week, containing taller opponents well and never giving an inch.
"The Steel played their controlled game like they normally do which is tough for defenders to make any impact," Bond said.
"There were a few errors that cost us - we didn't treasure the ball at crucial times and threw away some chances."
In the goal circle, Cathrine Latu was not at her shooting best, but still managed a creditable 78 per cent average, while Pamela Cookey produced a near-perfect record - only missing three attempts from 26.
The shooters will need to be at their best to stay on top of the Magic, whose defensive line-up includes talents such as Leana de Bruin, Joline Henry, Nicola Pettit, Jodi Tod and Casey Williams.
Meanwhile, the Canterbury Tactix face the Southern Steel today at Christchurch, and the West Coast Fever play the Vixens in Perth tomorrow. In Sydney on Monday, the NSW Swifts meet the Firebirds.