KEY POINTS:
ANZ CHAMPIONSHIP
Mystics 42
Pulse 28
It may have been the last match Temepara George plays in New Zealand but it wasn't really a fitting farewell, as the Mystics overcame the bottom-placed Pulse at the North Shore Events Centre yesterday.
While happy to talk about her future netball career, George didn't divulge too much information about whether she'll be back.
"Maybe. I haven't decided yet. I'm going to finish the season. There may be some news there. There's always something interesting going on in my life. I have to make some decisions in my personal life," she said.
Once again, George was a key player in the midcourt, winning the battle against the Pulse's Frances Solia.
The Mystics shooters also got the better of their opponents. Paula Griffin shot 22 from 31 and Cathrine Latu 11 from 13, while Jade Topia managed nine from 10.
Susan Tagicakibau started at goal shoot for the Pulse and was successful with only five attempts out of 10 while her replacement Amber Bellringer managed nine from 15 and Jamilah Guupwell, 14 from 20.
Overall the contest was a dull affair with both sides out of contention for the semifinals. The ugliness of the game also probably summarised the season for both sides.
It was one of the lowest-scoring matches so far, behind the round nine clash featuring the Steel and the Pulse (41-21) and the Thunderbirds against the Vixens (39-38) in round three.
But the Mystics could well be pleased with their recent performances. Since their bye in round seven, they have won four matches and lost two by just one goal, giving them a chance to be the second-placed Kiwi side.
The match started with an unusually low-scoring first quarter, with the home team leading just 8-7. Only 11 shots were put up by the Mystics and nine by the Pulse. Both teams proved to be strong on defence, making the feeding to the shooters difficult.
"At times we lacked intensity," said Mystics coach Yvonne Willering.
"The players felt it was on court but watching from the sideline, it didn't look that way.
"[The Pulse] are a nuggety team who keep going and going."
The Pulse had little to take from the game, especially after coming so close the week before against the Magic.
